Miguel Delibes Criticism
Miguel Delibes, born in 1920, is a distinguished Spanish novelist whose works are deeply influenced by his personal experiences and the environment of his Castilian birthplace, Valladolid. He often infuses his narratives with themes of death, likely stemming from his childhood fear of losing his elderly father. A notable example of his personal influence is found in My Adored Son Sisí, which reflects his close relationship with his father. Delibes is known for his independent approach, which distances him from the prevalent trends of Spanish literary circles and instead focuses on universal concerns of the twentieth century.
His novel El camino examines the tension between natural instincts and societal conformity, advocating for the life instinct, as analyzed by Ernest A. Johnson, Jr. Similarly, in Las ratas, Delibes uses the Christlike figure of el Nini to reflect religious faith and moral values, as argued by Dorothy Ewing. His early novels also display a blend of stylistic and thematic elements, such as the psychological depth and philosophical undertones highlighted by Janet W. Díaz.
In Parábola del náufrago, Delibes critiques totalitarian control through language, focusing on the protagonist Jacinto's isolation, as explored by Roberta A. Quance. Delibes' portrayal of childhood, particularly in El camino, is noted for its psychological accuracy, contrasting with the less realistic depiction in La sombra del ciprés es alargada, as critiqued by Phyllis Zatlin Boring. Delibes remains a seminal figure in literature, renowned for his profound exploration of human experience and societal critique.
Contents
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Delibes, Miguel (Vol. 18)
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Miguel Delibes, 'El Camino'—A Way of Life
(summary)
In the following essay, Ernest A. Johnson, Jr. analyzes Miguel Delibes' novel El camino, highlighting its exploration of the conflict between natural instincts and societal conformity, demonstrating how Delibes uses characters to affirm life's forces and critique repressive cultural norms, ultimately advocating for the vitality of the life instinct.
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The Religious Significance of Miguel Delibes' 'Las Ratas'
(summary)
In the following essay, Dorothy Ewing argues that the novel "Las ratas" by Miguel Delibes uses the Christlike figure of the child protagonist, el Nini, to epitomize religious faith, emphasizing moral values, humanitarian sentiments, and the eternal goodness of God through deliberate parallels to Biblical events.
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Janet W. DíAz
(summary)
In the following essay, Janet W. Díaz examines Miguel Delibes' early novels, highlighting their stylistic similarities and contrasting psychological themes, with emphasis on the protagonists' divergent views on life and the philosophical and religious undertones within, while also discussing Delibes' narrative techniques and character development in subsequent works.
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Language Manipulation and Social Order in Delibes' 'Parábola del náufrago'
(summary)
In the following essay, Roberta A. Quance examines Miguel Delibes's novel Parábola del náufrago, highlighting its critique of totalitarian society's manipulation of language to enforce conformity and suppress dissent, while emphasizing the protagonist Jacinto's isolation and struggle with a dehumanizing, linguistically oppressive environment.
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The World of Childhood in the Contemporary Spanish Novel
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In the following essay, Phyllis Zatlin Boring critiques Miguel Delibes' portrayal of childhood in his novels, noting that while La sombra del ciprés es alargada lacks realism and humor, El camino successfully captures the child's perspective with psychological accuracy and offers a nuanced juxtaposition between child and adult worlds.
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Miguel Delibes, 'El Camino'—A Way of Life
(summary)
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Delibes and 'Parábola del náufrago'
(summary)
In the following essay, Ronald Schwartz explores Miguel Delibes' transition from realism to a more experimental style in "Parábola del náufrago," highlighting Delibes' use of innovative narrative techniques and his thematic focus on the universal human condition, which marks a significant development in both his literary career and Spanish literature.