Glossary
Alienación
A feeling of isolation, estrangement, or disconnection from oneself, others, or society.
Example:
The speaker in 'Walking around' expresses profound alienación from the urban environment and even from his own body.
Contexto histórico
The social, political, economic, and cultural circumstances of the time period in which a literary work was created, which can influence its themes and meaning.
Example:
Understanding the contexto histórico of 20th-century Spain, marked by civil war and dictatorship, is crucial to grasping the themes of repression in Lorca's plays.
Declaración de tesis
A concise statement, typically in the introduction of an essay, that presents the main argument or point the writer will prove.
Example:
When writing a Free Response Question, a strong declaración de tesis is essential to clearly outline your argument about the texts.
Deshumanización
The process by which individuals are stripped of their human qualities, dignity, and individuality, often treated as objects or commodities.
Example:
El hombre que se convirtió en perro powerfully illustrates the deshumanización caused by economic desperation, as César loses his human identity.
El individuo en su entorno
This theme focuses on how a person interacts with and is shaped by their environment, including social, cultural, and physical surroundings.
Example:
In 'Walking around,' Neruda's profound sense of despair is a direct reflection of el individuo en su entorno, as he reacts to the bleakness of urban life.
El machismo
A strong sense of masculine pride and superiority, often characterized by an exaggerated sense of male dominance and a devaluation of women.
Example:
The oppressive control Bernarda Alba exerts over her daughters, influenced by societal norms, reflects the pervasive machismo of her community.
El sistema patriarcal
Refers to a social structure where men hold primary power and authority, dominating roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and control of property.
Example:
Alfonsina Storni's 'Peso ancestral' critiques el sistema patriarcal by lamenting the emotional burden and lack of expression imposed on men and women alike by traditional gender roles.
El tiempo y el espacio
This theme considers how the concepts of time (e.g., past, present, future, cyclical time) and space (e.g., confinement, freedom, specific settings) influence characters and narratives.
Example:
The confined espacio of Bernarda's house symbolizes the limited freedom of her daughters, while the passage of tiempo only intensifies their desperation.
Evidencia textual
Specific quotes, details, or examples taken directly from the literary work to support an argument or analysis.
Example:
To support an analysis of Bernarda's control, you must provide evidencia textual such as her lines about mourning and strict rules.
Identidad cultural
A sense of belonging to a group based on shared traditions, heritage, language, religion, or nationality.
Example:
Nancy Morejón's 'Mujer negra' celebrates the resilience and strength inherent in Afro-Cuban identidad cultural.
Imágenes
Descriptive language that appeals to the five senses, creating vivid mental pictures or sensory experiences for the reader.
Example:
Neruda uses striking imágenes of decay and ugliness in 'Walking around' to convey his profound sense of alienation.
La asimilación y la marginación
This theme explores the pressure to conform to a dominant culture (assimilation) versus being excluded or pushed to the fringes of society (marginalization).
Example:
The gypsy character in 'Prendimiento de Antoñito el Camborio' faces la marginación due to his ethnic identity, illustrating how society can exclude those who don't conform.
La construcción de la realidad
This theme questions how reality is perceived, interpreted, and shaped by individual perspectives, societal narratives, or external forces.
Example:
In 'Walking around,' Neruda's subjective and distorted view of the city reflects his personal construcción de la realidad, which is filled with decay and disillusionment.
La construcción del género
This concept examines how societal norms and expectations shape what it means to be male or female, often highlighting the artificiality and restrictiveness of these roles.
Example:
The rigid expectations placed on Bernarda Alba's daughters in La casa de Bernarda Alba exemplify the oppressive nature of la construcción del género in a patriarchal society.
La dualidad del ser
This theme explores the internal conflict or division within an individual, often between their public persona and private desires, or between different aspects of their identity.
Example:
In 'A Julia de Burgos,' the speaker grapples with the dualidad del ser by contrasting her conventional public self with her authentic, rebellious poetic self.
La introspección
The examination or observation of one's own mental and emotional processes, often leading to self-discovery or a deeper understanding of one's inner world.
Example:
Julia de Burgos engages in deep introspección in her poem, dissecting her public and private selves to assert her true identity.
La tradición y la ruptura
This theme examines the tension between adhering to established customs and beliefs versus breaking away from them to embrace new ideas or forms.
Example:
The 20th-century literary revolution itself was a period of ruptura from traditional forms, as seen in the experimental poetry of Neruda.
Las divisiones socioeconómicas
This theme addresses the disparities and conflicts arising from differences in social class, wealth, and economic status within a society.
Example:
In El hombre que se convirtió en perro, César's desperate transformation highlights the harsh realities of las divisiones socioeconómicas and the lengths people go to survive.
Las relaciones de poder
This theme analyzes how power is distributed and exercised among individuals or groups, often revealing dynamics of dominance, submission, and resistance.
Example:
The dynamic between Bernarda Alba and her daughters clearly demonstrates las relaciones de poder, with Bernarda wielding absolute authority over their lives.
Las relaciones interpersonales
This theme explores the complex connections, interactions, and dynamics between individuals, including family, friendships, and romantic relationships.
Example:
The strained and often hostile relaciones interpersonales among Bernarda's daughters are central to the play's tragic conflict.
Las sociedades en contacto
This theme explores the interactions, conflicts, and cultural exchanges that occur when different societies or groups come into contact, often highlighting power imbalances.
Example:
Nicolás Guillén's 'Balada de los dos abuelos' beautifully illustrates las sociedades en contacto by celebrating the fusion of African and Spanish heritage in his own identity.
Metáfora
A figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as,' stating that one thing *is* another.
Example:
When Neruda describes his heart as 'un paraguas roto,' he uses a metáfora to convey a feeling of brokenness and uselessness.
Represión
The act of suppressing or holding back thoughts, feelings, or desires, often due to societal pressure or authoritarian control.
Example:
The constant represión of the daughters' desires in La casa de Bernarda Alba ultimately leads to tragic consequences.
Simbolismo
The use of objects, people, or ideas to represent something else, often a deeper, abstract concept or emotion.
Example:
In La casa de Bernarda Alba, the white walls of the house serve as a powerful símbolo of purity and repression.