Glossary
Crítica social
The act of analyzing and commenting on societal issues, injustices, or norms through literature, often with the aim of provoking thought or advocating for change.
Example:
'Como la vida misma' offers a sharp crítica social of urban alienation and the aggressive nature of modern human interactions.
Crónica narrativa
A literary genre that narrates events in chronological order, often blending journalistic reporting with literary techniques to create a vivid account.
Example:
The story's precise recounting of 15 minutes in a traffic jam exemplifies a crónica narrativa, detailing events as they unfold.
Distorsión del tiempo y el espacio
A literary technique where the author manipulates the perception of time and/or space within the narrative, often to emphasize psychological states or thematic elements.
Example:
Montero's intense focus on a mere 15 minutes in the traffic jam creates a distorsión del tiempo y el espacio, making the brief period feel like an eternity.
El individuo en su entorno
A literary theme exploring how a character's environment, whether physical or social, profoundly influences their emotions, actions, and overall state of being.
Example:
The protagonist's escalating frustration in 'Como la vida misma' is a direct consequence of el individuo en su entorno of the suffocating traffic.
Exclamaciones
Words or phrases expressing strong emotion, often indicated by an exclamation mark, used to convey intensity, surprise, or frustration.
Example:
The character's outburst, '¡No lo entiendo!', uses exclamaciones to powerfully convey their exasperation with the situation.
Hipérbole
A rhetorical device involving extreme exaggeration for emphasis or effect, not intended to be taken literally.
Example:
When the character thinks of 'doscientos mil coches,' it's a hipérbole to convey the overwhelming scale of the traffic jam.
Imágenes
Literary language that appeals to the five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch), creating vivid mental pictures and sensory experiences for the reader.
Example:
The description of the 'rojo inconfundible' of the traffic light uses visual imágenes to emphasize the stagnant and tedious nature of the wait.
Ironía
A literary device where there is a contrast between what is said and what is actually meant, or between what is expected and what actually happens.
Example:
It's ironía when a character complains about others' aggression while acting aggressively themselves, highlighting human hypocrisy.
Literatura contemporánea española
Refers to Spanish literature produced after the death of Francisco Franco in 1975, characterized by diverse themes, non-linear narratives, and fragmented structures reflecting societal changes.
Example:
Works by authors like Rosa Montero exemplify literatura contemporánea española by exploring new freedoms and social issues post-dictatorship.
Literatura femenina
A significant movement within contemporary Spanish literature that focuses on the experiences, challenges, and perspectives of women, often challenging traditional gender roles.
Example:
Rosa Montero's writing is a key example of literatura femenina, giving voice to the complexities of women's lives in modern Spain.
Narración en segunda persona
A narrative technique where the narrator directly addresses the reader using 'tú' or 'usted,' immersing them as the protagonist in the story.
Example:
In 'Como la vida misma,' the use of 'tú' makes the reader feel the protagonist's mounting frustration in the traffic jam.
Transición a la democracia
The historical period in Spain following Francisco Franco's death in 1975, marking the shift from a dictatorship to a democratic political system.
Example:
The Transición a la democracia fostered an environment where writers could openly explore themes of freedom and regionalism previously suppressed.