Glossary
Description/Descripción
The literary technique of using vivid and sensory language to portray a person, place, object, or event, creating a clear image in the reader's mind.
Example:
The author's detailed description of the oppressive heat made the reader feel the stifling atmosphere of the town.
Dialogue/Diálogo
The spoken conversation between two or more characters in a literary work, used to reveal character, advance the plot, or convey themes.
Example:
The tense dialogue between the mother and the priest highlighted their differing perspectives on morality and social class.
El Boom Latinoamericano
A literary movement in the 1960s and 1970s featuring a surge of innovative and experimental novels by Latin American authors, often incorporating magical realism and addressing social issues.
Example:
Many authors from El Boom Latinoamericano challenged traditional narrative structures, leading to complex and multi-layered stories.
El sistema patriarcal
A theme addressing a social structure where men hold primary power and authority in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and control of property.
Example:
The village elders, all male, made all the important decisions, reflecting the pervasive nature of el sistema patriarcal.
Environment/Ambiente
The physical and social setting in which a story takes place, often influencing the mood, characters, and themes.
Example:
The desolate, dusty ambiente of the village reflected the characters' sense of hopelessness.
Flashback
A literary device that interrupts the chronological sequence of events to present an earlier event or scene, often providing background information or character motivation.
Example:
A sudden flashback to the protagonist's childhood revealed the origin of her deep-seated fear.
Gabriel García Márquez
A Colombian Nobel Prize-winning author (1927-2014) renowned for his mastery of magical realism and exploration of social and political themes in his works.
Example:
Students often study the intricate family tree in Cien años de soledad to understand the scope of Gabriel García Márquez's storytelling.
Las divisiones socioeconómicas
A theme focusing on the disparities and inequalities in wealth, status, and opportunity among different segments of society.
Example:
The dilapidated housing next to the opulent mansions clearly depicted las divisiones socioeconómicas in the city.
Las relaciones familiares
A theme examining the bonds, conflicts, and dynamics within a family unit, often highlighting love, sacrifice, or generational differences.
Example:
The unwavering support between the siblings, despite their hardships, underscored the importance of las relaciones familiares.
Las sociedades en contacto
A theme exploring the interactions, conflicts, and power dynamics between different social groups, cultures, or classes within a society.
Example:
The stark contrast between the wealthy landowners and the impoverished farmworkers illustrated the theme of las sociedades en contacto.
Magical Realism
A literary genre where magical or fantastical elements are blended into a realistic setting, treating the extraordinary as commonplace.
Example:
In Cien años de soledad, the ascension of Remedios the Beauty to heaven while folding laundry is a classic example of magical realism.
Observer Narrator/Narrador Observador
A type of third-person narrator who reports events objectively without revealing the thoughts or feelings of any character, similar to a camera lens.
Example:
The narrador observador simply described the actions of the characters, leaving the reader to infer their emotions.
Realism/Realismo
A literary movement or technique that aims to depict life as it is, focusing on accurate and detailed portrayals of everyday existence, characters, and social conditions.
Example:
The novel's unflinching realismo showed the harsh economic struggles faced by the working class.
Siesta
A short nap taken in the early afternoon, especially in hot climates, common in Spanish-speaking countries.
Example:
During the oppressive midday heat, the entire town observed a quiet siesta, making the streets eerily empty.
Verisimilitude/Verosimilitud
The appearance of being true or real; the quality of a story that makes it seem believable and authentic to the reader, even if the events are fictional.
Example:
Despite the fantastical elements, the author achieved verosimilitud by grounding the characters' emotions in relatable human experiences.