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Benito Perez GaldysSpanish writer and playwright
Date of Birth: 10.05.1843
Country:  Spain |
Content:
Biography of Benito Pérez Galdós
Benito Pérez Galdós was a Spanish writer and playwright, known as one of the most prominent representatives of the 19th-century Spanish novel. He was an ideologist of the liberal Spanish bourgeoisie, fighting against constitutional monarchy for a republican system. He was educated and worked as a lawyer and actively participated in the political life of the country as a deputy for the Republican party.
National Episodes
Galdós gained literary fame with his historical and romantic epic "National Episodes" (Episodios Nacionales), consisting of 46 volumes. This epic covers the period from Napoleon's invasion to the proclamation of the first republic in the mid-19th century. Among the more than 20 novels that make up this monumental work, the most artistic ones are "La Corte de Carlos IV" (The Court of Charles IV) and "Trafalgar". These novels were influenced by Balzac's "Human Comedy", as well as by Alexandre Dumas and Erckmann-Chatrian, and they represent high-quality examples of political novels. In these novels, Galdós juxtaposed the heroism and patriotic self-sacrifice of "common" heroes with the helplessness of the Spanish bourgeoisie. His goal was to educate and strengthen the principles of bourgeois-liberal political morality in the minds of readers, especially the younger generation. Galdós was a precursor to the ideology of republican liberalism, such as Blasco Ibáñez.
Against the Catholic Church
Galdós is also known as the author of a series of novels that criticized the Catholic Church. These novels were characteristic of a time when Spain, once economically and politically powerful, was in decline. The most popular and enduring novels of this series are "Doña Perfecta" (1876) and "Gloria" (1877), which expose the cruelty and reactionary essence of Catholicism.
Naturalistic Novels
Galdós's novels "Lo prohibido" (1885), "Tormento" (2nd edition, 1884), "Fortunata y Jacinta" (1888), "La desheredada" (1890), and "Misericordia" (1897) depict the daily life of the "bottom" of Spanish cities in naturalistic tones and reveal the social mechanics of modern capitalist society.
Galdós also achieved great success with the play "Electra", which was well received by a wide audience.
