Characters Discussed
Last Updated on May 8, 2015, by eNotes Editorial. Word Count: 255
Juanito Santa Cruz
Juanito Santa Cruz (hwah-NEE-toh SAHN-tah crewz), the protagonist in a realistic four-volume novel of bourgeois life in Madrid in the 1870’s. He is without morals or scruples.
Bárbara Santa Cruz
Bárbara Santa Cruz (BAHR-bah-rah), Juanito’s mother and the proprietor of a dry-goods store established by the family in the previous century. She spoils her son.
Plácido Estupiña
Plácido Estupiña (PLAH-see-doh ehs-tew-peen-YAH), a part-time smuggler and her adviser.
Fortunata
Fortunata (fohr-tew-NAH-tah), a lively, attractive lower-class woman who becomes Juanito’s mistress. Later she marries Maximiliano. She dies of exposure while seeking revenge for Jacinta and herself.
Petusin
Petusin (peh-tew-SEEN), the illegitimate son of Juanito and Fortunata.
Jacinta
Jacinta (hah-SEEN-tah), Juanito’s placid, beautiful cousin, chosen by his mother to be his wife. She cannot have children.
Maximiliano Rubín
Maximiliano Rubín (mahks-ee-mee-lee-AH-noh rrew-BEEN), the ugly, schizophrenic orphan son of a goldsmith. He marries Fortunata.
Lupe
Lupe (LEW-peh), Maximiliano’s aunt, who warns Fortunata against the marriage.
Juan Pablo Rubín
Juan Pablo Rubín (hwahn PAHB-loh), one of Maximiliano’s brothers, a loafer.
Colonel Evaristo Feijóo
Colonel Evaristo Feijóo (eh-vahr-EES-toh feh-ee-HOH-oh), an elderly protector of Fortunata.
Guillermina Pancheco
Guillermina Pancheco (gee-yehr-MEE-nah pahn-CHAY-koh), at whose house Jacinta learns of her husband’s infidelity.
The Widow Samaniego
The Widow Samaniego (sah-mahn-ee-EH-goh), the owner of a drugstore, who employs Maximiliano.
Aurora
Aurora (ow-ROH-rah), her flashy daughter, who attracts Juanito. They become lovers.
Moreno Isla
Moreno Isla (mohr-EH-noh EES-lah), whose proposition is refused by the faithful Jacinta.
Bibliography
Last Updated on May 8, 2015, by eNotes Editorial. Word Count: 211
Gullón, Agnes Money. “The Bird Motif and the Introductory Motif: Structure in Fortunata y Jacinta.” Anales Galdosianos 9 (1974): 51-75. Describes a “bird motif” as it appears in its various manifestations throughout the novel, as well as an “introductory motif” at the head of each of the novel’s four parts. Explores the novel’s intricate structural components.
Pattison, Walter T. Benito Pérez Galdós. Boston: Twayne, 1975. A concise and informative biography of Pérez Galdós. Chapter 7 dwells rather extensively on Fortunata and Jacinta.
Ribbans, Geoffrey. “Contemporary History in the Structure and Characterization of Fortunata y Jacinta.” In Galdós Studies, edited by J. E. Varey. London: Tamesis Books, 1970. Elucidates Pérez Galdós references to specific historical, political, and social events in nineteenth century Spain. Discusses the manner in which Pérez Galdós integrates fact and fiction.
Shoemaker, William H. The Novelistic Art of Galdós. 2 vols. Valencia: Albatros Ediciones Hispanofila, 1980. Volume 1 of this work is a broad literary critique of Pérez Galdós’ novels in their entirety. Volume 2 examines each of the novels in turn.
Turner, Harriet S. Fortunata and Jacinta. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1972. Thorough introduction to the novel. Detailed discussions of the sociohistorical, structural, and metaphorical aspects of Pérez Galdós’ masterwork.
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