Exoticism and Familiarization: Studies in Hispano-Russian Literary Relations

Tejerizo, Margaret Helen (1993) Exoticism and Familiarization: Studies in Hispano-Russian Literary Relations. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

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Abstract

The reception, familiarization and influence of Russian writers in late 19th- century/early 20th-century Spain has been a long-neglected area of investigation, and is overdue for reassessment now. This thesis studies certain characteristic moments of that process, beginning with the situation typical of much of the 19th century, in which a major Russian author like Pushkin was at least a presence, though still decisively an exotic one, on the Hispanic literary horizon. A not dissimilar status attended those figures in the Hispanic literatures who were known to readers in Russia. (The case of Brazilian literature is taken as a particular example.) There followed, as far as Russian literature in Spain was concerned, a phase of intelligent, if still largely second-hand reporting by individuals enjoying some special advantage for that purpose (Valera, Ganivet) and of enthusiasic and discriminating critical advocacy (still through intermediaries) by serious readers (Pardo Bazan, Leopoldo Alas). The former, in particular, emerges as a figure of crucial importance, and her role in the familiarization (of Spaniards with Russian literary culture), must be seen as an essential part of her own literary vocation. Already in this generation, the impact of Russian writing as a creative influence begins to be apparent, and its importance as such in the years around and after 1900 is typified in the examples of Unamuno and Pio Baroja. Once the availability of major Russian texts had been established, the way was open for this influence to extend more widely than acknowledged examples reveal, and a formalist analysis of plays by Chekhov and Lorca is used to suggest how this possibility operates. Here, a further decisive element in the process of familiarization comes into play: the social and institutional similarities between Spain and Russia - not least with regard to the "woman question" in the years under review. Finally, after a period when political factors achieved what was virtually a "freeze" in cultural contacts, the renewed sense of European belonging affecting both post-Franco Spain and post-Brezhnev Russia has facilitated a new surge of interest in Russia in the Spanish cultural and popular media - again, interestingly, with a publication for women - the magazine Telva - notably to the fore.

Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
Qualification Level: Doctoral
Additional Information: Adviser: M Dewhirst
Keywords: Comparative literature, Slavic literature
Date of Award: 1993
Depositing User: Enlighten Team
Unique ID: glathesis:1993-75005
Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
Date Deposited: 27 Sep 2019 14:39
Last Modified: 27 Sep 2019 14:39
URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/75005

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