Concept in Definition ABC

In the field of literary creation the gender del grotesque is genuinely Spanish. In fact, the creator of it was one of the representatives of the Generation of '98, Ramón María del Valle Inclán. This novelist, poet and playwright created his own universe literary, the grotesque.

Main features

It stands out for its distorted vision of reality. Thus, facing the description realistic and manners, this genre describes a distorted reality.

The grotesque content is intended to criticize society. The deformation of reality is intended to be a reflection on the decline of Spanish society.

The language of this genre is especially singular And it's riddled with popular twists and speech colloquial of everyday life.

Valle Inclán's stories are not pure fiction, since the Spanish reality of his time also appears as a background scenario.

On synthesis, the grotesque is present in the language, in the characters and in the setting of a decadent Spain.

Max Estrella and Don Latino, two typical characters from the grotesque

Valle Inclán's characters are marginal, rare and hyperbolic individuals. Among them stands out the protagonist of his play "Luces de Bohemia", Max Estrella. He is a poet who has gone blind, who lives in misery and who combines cowardice and greatness of spirit. His life takes place in the bohemian environments of Madrid. The antagonist of the play is Don Latino de Hispalis, a kind of guide dog of Max Estrella who stands out for his cynicism and his attitude scoundrel.

What is the grotesque?

The word we are analyzing does not only describe the literary universe of Valle Inclán, since in Spanish something grotesque is what draws attention due to its rarity. The situations or the people that receive this qualification are usually ridiculous, absurd and grotesque.

In film language and humor, grotesque situations are described in order to provoke a reaction in the public. The warped reality is usually presented as a gentle satire, but there is evident social criticism within it.

In the world of movie theater some films by the Spanish director Luis García Berlanga belong to this tradition. In his film "The Executioner" we find some of the genuine ingredients of the grotesque: atypical characters (two of the protagonists are a an executioner about to retire and a funeral service employee), a love story with tragicomic elements and a harsh criticism of the penalty of death.

Fotolia photos: Varvarabasheva / Natalie_