6 min read•Last Updated on June 18, 2024
Sylvia Rodriguez
Sylvia Rodriguez
Welcome to Unit 4: La literatura romántica, realista y naturalista ✨
Unit 4 of AP Spanish Literature focuses on the Romantic, Realist, and Naturalist literary movements of the 19th century. This period was marked by a shift away from the idealized world of Romanticism and towards a more realistic depiction of life and society.
Everything else in this course has led us to this time period; it's great we're officially on La literatura romántica, realista, y naturalista. There are three literature pieces that are required for this unit, two of which are poems. This is the second shortest section but is super important to stay focused on it as it is 66% poetry.
In addition to the literary movements discussed above, there are also several literary techniques that are commonly used in Romantic, Realist, and Naturalist literature.
Imagery is a technique that involves using vivid and descriptive language to create a powerful image in the reader's mind. This can be used to create a sensory experience for the reader and to help them better understand and connect with the characters and settings in the story. In Romantic literature, imagery is often used to depict the beauty and power of nature, while in Realist literature, imagery is often used to create a realistic and detailed portrayal of everyday life.
Symbolism is another technique that involves using objects, ideas, or characters to represent something else. This can be used to convey deeper meanings and themes in the story and to help the reader better understand the author's intentions. In Romantic literature, symbolism is often used to represent ideas such as love, freedom, and nature, while in Realist and Naturalist literature, symbolism is often used to represent social issues and political realities.
Irony is a technique that involves using language in a way that is opposite to its literal meaning, often to create humor or to criticize social issues. Irony can be used to expose contradictions and hypocrisies in society and to challenge readers to think critically about the world around them. In Realist and Naturalist literature, irony is often used to critique the social and political realities of the time, while in Romantic literature, irony is often used to create a sense of tension and uncertainty.
Below are summaries of all required texts for this unit in AP Spanish Literature! Be sure to click each heading to be sent to that respective guide and learn more about these pieces of literature.
“José Mara Heredia, a poet from Cuba and early 19th-century liberation fighter, wrote the poem "En una tempestad" in 1825. The poem captures the chaotic historical environment of the era, which was characterized by Latin American liberation movements against Spanish colonial power. The Romantic movement and Heredia's personal experiences with political turmoil greatly affected his art, which he communicated through vivid imagery and intense emotion.
Rima LIII ("Volverán las oscuras golondrinas") was written by 19th-century Spanish poet Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer and was first published in 1871. Bécquer was a member of Spanish Romanticism, a late Romantic movement that centered on themes of love, longing, and sadness. Bécquer depicts the passing of time and a sense of lost love in Rima LIII. The demise of Romanticism and the rise of Realism as the preeminent literary movement in Spain are among the social and political changes that define the historical context of the poem. The gloomy lines of Bécquer perfectly represent the mood of Spanish literature's transitional time.
The short story "Las medias rojas" was written by Spanish author, feminist, and literary critic Emilia Pardo Bazán. It was initially released in 1914. Known for her realistic and naturalistic writing style, Pardo Bazán was a significant player in the Spanish literary landscape of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. With a focus on topics of poverty, gender inequality, and societal limitations, "Las medias rojas" examines the challenges of rural working-class women in Galicia, Spain. The narrative illuminates the tough social dynamics of the early 20th century when feminism was gaining ground and upending established gender norms, as well as the terrible reality that women had to deal with.
This unit doesn’t have many required texts but because two of the three pieces that are required are poems, you will want to be familiar with what each poem is composed of and will want to be careful to not mix up the authors!
Good luck with studying and continuing to explore the different variations of literature pieces while identifying patterns amongst them 😊
Term 1 of 11
'En una tempestad' is a poem written by José María Heredia that embodies the essence of Romanticism in Latin American literature. The poem uses a violent storm as a powerful metaphor for the internal struggles and the tumultuous emotions of the poet, reflecting the Romantic ideals of nature, emotion, and individualism. Through vivid imagery and passionate language, Heredia captures the conflict between human emotions and the forces of nature, showcasing the broader themes of Romanticism while also establishing a connection to national identity and existential reflection.
Term 1 of 11
'En una tempestad' is a poem written by José María Heredia that embodies the essence of Romanticism in Latin American literature. The poem uses a violent storm as a powerful metaphor for the internal struggles and the tumultuous emotions of the poet, reflecting the Romantic ideals of nature, emotion, and individualism. Through vivid imagery and passionate language, Heredia captures the conflict between human emotions and the forces of nature, showcasing the broader themes of Romanticism while also establishing a connection to national identity and existential reflection.
Term 1 of 11
'En una tempestad' is a poem written by José María Heredia that embodies the essence of Romanticism in Latin American literature. The poem uses a violent storm as a powerful metaphor for the internal struggles and the tumultuous emotions of the poet, reflecting the Romantic ideals of nature, emotion, and individualism. Through vivid imagery and passionate language, Heredia captures the conflict between human emotions and the forces of nature, showcasing the broader themes of Romanticism while also establishing a connection to national identity and existential reflection.