American Studies ETDs

Publication Date

7-18-1978

Abstract

A study is made of the initiation and development of the tradicion as a subgenre of the short story in Spanish America. The life of Ricardo Palma, its principal innovator, is reviewed to identify the influences and personal experiences which contributed to making his writing distinctive.

Literary history is examined to determine the literary antecedents of the tradicion, and its relationship to the cuadro de costumbres is explained, following which the tradicion itself is analyzed to differentiate it from other forms of short story and determine its essential characteristics of form, style and content of fiction and historical fact.

A regional survey of the tradicion in both prose and poetry is presented, the principal authors are identified and placed in historical perspective and their published works in the field are discussed with sufficient attention to style to justify conclusions about their respective abilities.

A summary is furnished of the historical, sociological and aesthetic factors involved in the tradicion's rapid rise to popularity in the later nineteenth century and its decline during the decades to follow. The effects exerted upon its evolution by the succeeding literary currents of Realism, Naturalism and Modernism are discussed. Contributions made by the tradicion to the development of the short story are outlined, as are its roles in the popularization and teaching of history, increasing cultural appreciation and building a sense of national identity. It is noted that, while the individual tradiciones were intended to emphasize the uniqueness of loc.al events and institutions, they touched upon the same situations in country after country and collec­tively reveal that commonality of Spanish cultural heritage which is a major cohesive force among Spanish-speaking countries.

The study goes on to show that, while many authors sought to emulate Palma and failed in an attempt to write artistic and entertaining anecdotes based upon historical themes, there were some who succeeded in producing stories of real merit. Palma's great ability and domination of the field overshadowed these writers and prevented their achieving the recognition that their accomplishments warranted. The conclusion is reached that more good examples of the art have been written throughout Hispanic Ame1rica than is generally recognized and that their cultural and historical legacy should be more widely divulged and even made availability by translation to readers of other cultures.

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

American Studies

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

American Studies

First Committee Member (Chair)

Marshall Rutherford Nason

Second Committee Member

William Holloway Roberts

Third Committee Member

Peter John Bakewell

Fourth Committee Member

Dick Charles Gerdes

Fifth Committee Member

Jon Michael Tolman

Download

Share

COinS