Date of Award

1994

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

First Advisor

E. Ramon Arango

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between Spanish literature and political opposition under the Franco regime. Chapter 1 introduces the concept of a political discourse that characterizes a historical era, specifically addressing that of the Franco era in Spain. Directly linked to the idea of a political discourse is the theory of a literary generation, united by the common experiences or characteristics of a specific time period, such as those of the Franco regime. Together, these two concepts helped establish a foundation for the transition to democracy in Spain. Chapter 2 discusses the mythic foundations of Spanish culture in general, and of Spanish literature and politics in particular. Various biblical and mythical concepts and symbols embedded in the Spanish culture were employed by both the regime, to maintain the status quo, and the opposition, in an effort to disrupt the status quo. Chapter 3 examines the presence of alienation that is found within Francoist Spain. This isolation extends from the national level to the individual level, and is a predominant theme expressed in the literature of the era. Chapter 4 discusses the use of coercive force by the regime to maintain its society and the disruptive force employed by the opposition to protest Francoist society. The manner in which coercive and disruptive actions are linked in the censored literature suggests the omnipotence of the regime and the futility of disruptive protest. Chapter 5 examines the various groups within Francoist society and how their interaction with the regime and one another maintains the existence of the oppressive society of the regime. Chapter 6 concludes by discussing how the aforementioned aspects of Francoist society, while they did not result in the overthrow of the Franco regime, facilitated the preparation of Spanish society for a political transition.

Pages

166

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_disstheses.5726

Share

COinS