Realism as Resistance

Realism as Resistance explores the heritage of romanticism in realism by examining author-characters in Galdos's First Series of Episodes nacionales, Baroja's La lucha por la vida, and Clarin's La Regenta. The introduction outlines the effect the romantic legacy of realism may have had on the external authors Galdos, Clarin, and Baroja. The first several chapters study Galdos's protagonist Gabriel Araceli and his struggle to develop a realist authorial voice in the face of quixotic romanticism. The next chapter focuses on Baroja's Manuel Alcazar, and his confrontation with many of the same demons as Gabriel. The next chapter discusses the persistence of the romantic author Ana de Ozores, who dominates her rivals in textual production because she is closer to her romantic heritage. The conclusion returns to the external authors, explaining how they present themselves as modern-day Cervantes to acquire protection from the negative associations of romanticism.