Description
The Condemned
Book Summary
This work by Emilia Pardo Bazán, originally published in 1889, is one of the author's most innovative and controversial novels. Moving away from the extreme naturalism of her earlier works, the author delves into a narrative of deep psychological exploration with a tone akin to narrative spiritualism. The reader will encounter a story that challenges the rigid moral codes of the time, centered on the inner conflict of a woman who confronts social hypocrisy and her own desires. The main value of this work lies in its bold treatment of female desire and individual freedom, making it an essential read for understanding the evolution of the representation of women in Spanish literature.
What is it about?
The novel tells the story of the Marchioness Asís Taboada, a well-positioned Galician widow who defies social conventions by having a love affair with a younger man, Diego Pacheco. The plot unfolds in a vibrant Madrid full of cultural nuances, where Asís lets herself be carried away by passion and desire after a festive day at the San Isidro meadow. The metaphor of sunstroke not only alludes to the physical effect of the sun on the protagonist, but also to the eruption of a sweeping feeling that defies her upbringing and prejudices. Through this story, Pardo Bazán exposes with irony and subtlety the hypocrisy of bourgeois morality and the double standard with which society judges men and women in matters of love. The narrative flows between the introspective and the social, achieving a vivid portrait of nineteenth-century Madrid while focusing on the protagonist's internal conflict.
Main Themes
- Female freedom and social repression in 19th-century Spain
- The hypocrisy of bourgeois morality and the gender double standard
- The conflict between individual desire and established social norms
- Psychological exploration of desire and romantic passion
- Critique of naturalistic determinism through narrative spiritualism
Who is it recommended for?
This work is recommended for readers interested in classic 19th-century Spanish literature, especially those looking for novels with a strong psychological and social charge. It is ideal for students and scholars of literature who wish to understand the evolution of Spanish narrative toward feminism, as well as for any reader who appreciates stories that question moral conventions and explore the complexity of the female condition. It will also be attractive to those who enjoy vivid portraits of nineteenth-century Madrid society and plots centered on the inner conflict of their protagonists.
What this book offers
- A pioneering perspective on female freedom and desire, ahead of its time
- A deep psychological analysis of the protagonist that invites reflection on social morality
- A vivid and detailed portrait of 19th-century Madrid, with its customs and contrasts
- Agile and elegant prose that combines sensory descriptions with dynamic dialogues
- A key work for understanding the transition from naturalism to spiritualism in Pardo Bazán's narrative
Technical specifications
- Author: Pardo Bazán, Emilia
- Publisher: Linkgua Digital
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Classic texts, fiction and related topics
- Collection: Pending Collection
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: October 2010
- Number of pages: 140
- Weight: 100 g
Editorial review
This Linkgua Digital edition recovers a fundamental work by Emilia Pardo Bazán which, despite the controversy it aroused at the time, has established itself as an essential title within 19th-century narrative. Its bold treatment of female desire and individual freedom positions it as one of the first feminist novels in Spanish literature. For the modern reader, it offers a critical and lucid look at topics that remain relevant, such as social hypocrisy and the struggle for personal autonomy. It is a recommended reading both for its literary value and for its historical importance in the evolution of the representation of women in literature.