Glossary
Alfonsina Storni
An influential Argentine poet and a leading voice of the Modernismo movement, known for her feminist themes and unconventional poetic style.
Example:
Many of Alfonsina Storni's works, like 'Cuadrados y ángulos,' challenge the societal constraints placed upon women.
El Sistema Patriarcal
A social system where men hold primary power and predominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and control of property.
Example:
The oppressive structure in 'El burlador de Sevilla' highlights how el sistema patriarcal allows Don Juan to exploit women with impunity.
Emotional stoicism
The practice of enduring pain or hardship without the display of feelings and without complaint, often associated with traditional masculinity.
Example:
The male characters in 'Crónica de una muerte anunciada' often exhibit emotional stoicism, suppressing their true feelings in favor of upholding honor.
Feminist themes
Literary elements or ideas that advocate for gender equality, challenge patriarchal structures, and explore the experiences and rights of women.
Example:
Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz's 'Hombres necios que acusáis' is an early example of feminist themes in Spanish literature, directly confronting male hypocrisy.
First-Person Narration
A narrative perspective where the story is told by one character, using 'I' or 'we,' providing a subjective viewpoint.
Example:
The entire story of 'Lazarillo de Tormes' is presented through first-person narration, allowing us to experience his picaresque adventures directly from his perspective.
Generational trauma
The psychological and emotional impact of traumatic experiences that are passed down through families across generations, affecting subsequent members.
Example:
The lingering effects of the Spanish Civil War on families, even decades later, can be seen as a form of generational trauma depicted in some contemporary novels.
Internal Conflict
A psychological struggle within the mind of a literary character, often arising from opposing desires, beliefs, or duties.
Example:
Don Quijote's internal conflict between his chivalric ideals and the harsh reality of his world drives much of the novel's humor and pathos.
La Construcción del Género
The societal and cultural processes through which gender identities and roles are shaped, often distinct from biological sex.
Example:
Examining how characters in 'Don Quijote' perform masculinity and femininity helps us understand la construcción del género in Golden Age Spain.
La Dualidad del Ser
A theme exploring the conflicting aspects within an individual's identity, such as public versus private self, or reason versus emotion.
Example:
In 'El Sur,' Borges explores la dualidad del ser through Juan Dahlmann's internal struggle between his intellectual life and his desire for a heroic death.
La Introspección
The examination of one's own conscious thoughts and feelings, often leading to self-awareness or personal revelation.
Example:
The speaker in many of Bécquer's Rimas engages in deep introspección, reflecting on love, loss, and the nature of poetry itself.
Metáfora
A figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as,' implying a deeper meaning or characteristic.
Example:
When Garcilaso de la Vega describes a woman's hair as 'oro bruñido,' he uses a metáfora to convey its radiant beauty.
Modernismo
A late 19th and early 20th-century literary movement in Spanish America that emphasized aestheticism, individualism, and often critiqued societal norms.
Example:
Rubén Darío's 'Azul...' is considered a foundational text of Modernismo, showcasing its focus on beauty and artistic freedom.
Peso ancestral
A powerful poem by Alfonsina Storni that critiques traditional gender roles and the emotional burden passed down through generations, particularly concerning suppressed male emotions.
Example:
Students often analyze Peso ancestral to understand how societal norms can impact individual and collective emotional expression.
Repetición
A literary device involving the intentional re-use of a word, phrase, or sentence for emphasis or rhythmic effect.
Example:
The insistent repetición of '¡Ay de mi Alhama!' in the 'Romance del rey moro que perdió Alhama' underscores the profound lament.
Societal expectations
The unwritten rules or norms that dictate how individuals are expected to behave, think, or feel within a particular community or culture.
Example:
The pressure on Lazarillo de Tormes to survive and conform to the harsh realities of his world is a direct result of societal expectations for the poor.
Symbolic Mother
A figure or concept within a text that represents the collective experiences, traditions, or burdens passed down from previous generations of women.
Example:
In some Latin American novels, the land itself can act as a symbolic mother, embodying the history and suffering of a people.
Toxic masculinity
A set of harmful cultural norms associated with traditional male gender roles, such as suppressing emotions, promoting aggression, and dominating others.
Example:
The aggressive and honor-driven actions of the Vicario brothers in 'Crónica de una muerte anunciada' are often cited as examples of toxic masculinity.
Traditional gender roles
Societal expectations and behaviors assigned to individuals based on their perceived sex, often limiting personal expression and opportunities.
Example:
In 'La casa de Bernarda Alba,' the daughters are trapped by rigid traditional gender roles that dictate their lives and choices.
Unconventional Style
A distinctive artistic approach that deviates from established norms or traditional forms, often to achieve a unique effect or convey a specific message.
Example:
Cervantes's use of metafiction and parody in 'Don Quijote' was an unconventional style for his time, challenging traditional narrative structures.