A Dramatized Narration of the Idea of Spain: Quixote of Valle-Inclán's Esperpenetic Nationalism vs. the Grandchildren of El Cid Noventayochistas

Abstract

From the literary point of view, it is especially interesting to contrast the conception of the construction of Spain from the Valleinclanesca work with that of the different authors of the so-called Generation on of '98. In this sense, it is worth mentioning the nationalism drawn in Luces de Bohemia as opposed to that of other contemporary works, deeply rooted in the epic, heroism and medieval vindication (think, for example, in the essayist writings of Unamuno, Maeztu, Azorín, Baroja or Cossío). Thus, we cannot forget the importance of the treatment of the paradigmatic Don Quixote and Sancho Panza as an example, par excellence, of the Spanish construct. Contrasting the memory they collect about these characters from the past (from the Baroque, specifically, although in transition from the Renaissance with medieval imitations) to identify them with the idea of Spain is definitive: In contrast to an imperialist, traditional and patriotic idea (Vida de Don Quijote y Sancho unamuniana or Los pueblos de Azorín), we find a grotesque vision of our country in the work of Valle-Inclán, from the grotesque interpretation of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza in the characters of Max Estrella and Don Latino de Híspalis de Luces de Bohemia. Thus, through the grotesque deformation of characters from the past, Valle proposes an idea of Spain that is not at all paternalistic, but rather rooted in expressionism and moral deformation: "In Spain, merit is not rewarded. It rewards stealing and being shameless. It rewards everything that is bad".