Learning outcomes

After a brief introduction to the historical and literary background of the first half of the 19th century and to the contemporary Spanish publishing industry (books and magazines), lectures will focus on the peculiar features of the emergent Spanish journalism in the period (Romanticism). This will be done by analyzing the works of the most prominent “costumbristas” (Mariano José de Larra, Ramón de Mesonero Romanos, Serafín Estébanez Calderón). The “costumbrismo”, one of the most important expression of Spanish Romanticism, in literary production as well as in visual arts, contributed in a fundamental way to the definition of Spanish national identity and to the development of cultural relationships between national European literary and artistic movements.

Program

The course program consists of three parts: 1) History of literature; 2) Texts; 3) Critical bibliography; however the exam can’t be split in parts. The program applies to all students, both attending and not attending lectures. All the suggested references are available at Romanistica or Frinzi libraries.

1) History of literature:
Students are expected to develop a good knowledge of the Spanish historical and literary background of the first half of the 19th century (Spanish Romanticism) and to pay special attention to the emergent publishing industry of the period, as well as to the “costumbrismo” and to the authors listed below (Part 2 “Texts”).

Handbooks (one of the followings by student’s choice):
1) L’età moderna delle letteratura spagnola: l’Ottocento, a cura di M.G. Profeti, Firenze, La Nuova Italia, 2000 (pp. 3-57 e pp. 175-201);
2) Historia de la literatura española, (dir.) V. García de la Concha, Siglo XIX (vol. 8, coord. G. Carnero), Madrid, Espasa Calpe, 1996 (pp. 28-59 e pp. 153-224).

2) Texts:
Students are expected to read a selection of 15 “articulos de costumbres”, five for each author (Mariano José de Larra, Ramón de Mesonero Romanos, Serafín Estébanez Calderón). The following critical editions are strongly recommended for a full comprehension of the texts suggested:

M. J. De Larra, Artículos, ed. de Enrique Rubio, Madrid, Cátedra, 1993.
M. J. De Larra, Artículos varios, ed. de E. Correa Calderón, Madrid, Castalia, 1989.
R. de Mesonero Romanos, Escenas y tipos matritenses, ed. de E. Rubio Cremades, Madrid, Cátedra, 1993.
S. Estébanez Calderón, Escenas andaluzas, ed. de A. González Troyano, Madrid, Cátedra, 1985.

3) Critical bibliography:
Students have to choose and study five critical essays taken from this miscellaneous book: Romanticismo 6. El costumbrismo romántico, Actas del VI Congreso del “Centro internacional de Estudios sobre el Romanticismo hispánico” (Napoli, 27-30 marzo de 1990), Roma, Bulzoni, 1996 (also available at this link: http://www.cervantesvirtual.com/bib/portal/romanticismo/menu/roman_seis.html).

Further (not compulsory) readings:
Historia y crítica de la literatura española, (dir.) F. Rico. Romanticismo y realismo (vol 5 e 5/1, coord. I.M. Zavala), Barcelona, Crítica, 1982 e 1994.
L. Romero Tobar, Panorama crítico del romanticismo español, Madrid, Castalia, 1994 (pp. 397-460).
R. Navas Ruiz, El romanticismo español, 4ª ed. renovada, Madrid, Cátedra, 1990.
J. F. Montesinos, Costumbrismo y novela. Ensayo sobre el redescubrimiento de la realidad española, Madrid, Castalia, 1960.
S. Kirkpatrick, Larra: el laberinto inextricable de un romántico liberal, versión española de M. Eguía, Madrid, Gredos, 1977.
G. Bellini, L’opera di Larra e la Spagna del primo Ottocento, Milano, Goliardica, 1962.
M. J. De Larra, Il poveraccio parlatore e altri scritti, introduzione di D. Puccini, scelta e traduzione di M. Puccini, Torino, Utet, 1981.
Vida y obra de D. Serafín Estébanez Calderón “El Solitario”, edición, prólogo y notas de D. Jorge Campos, Madrid, Atlas, 1955, 2 voll.

Other readings will also be suggested during the lectures.

Examination Methods

Oral examination. Only students attending lectures will be allowed to write a short essay (10 pages), on a subject to be agreed with the teacher, in substitution of one part of their oral exam. Students are advised to sit for the exam once they have acquired a linguistic competence corresponding to the B1 level (Spanish).