• Cross-Cultural Studies
• /
• v.33
• /
• pp.7-32
• /
• 2013

This present study focuses on Franco's censorship and its influences in the works of Carmen Martín Gaite and Miguel Delibes. We know that from the years 1940's to 1970's a very harsh censorship existed in Spain. But the authors of those times were not completely obedient to the power of the Regime. Some authors attempted to find a new way to present his novels. In fact, Between Curtains of Martín Gaite shows an ideology that advocates for women who were not valued as deserved at the time. Against Franco's totalitarianism the author indirectly revealed readers an attempt to improve the situation of women, criticizing the tradition. On the other hand, Delibes sought a new way of presenting the novel in Five Hours with Mario to avoid Franco regime's censorship. The author hid behind a character that represents Franco's politics to criticize the society of that time. The both authors as representatives of contemporary Spanish literature demonstrate that the oppression does not restrict the authors' ability to create unexpected works.

• Cross-Cultural Studies
• /
• v.27
• /
• pp.81-104
• /
• 2012

This paper looks into the complexity of the comparative and conflictive elements portrayed on the novel Nada. Through the interpretation of the actions of the female characters, we can classify them into two different categories: pro-Franco and anti-Franco system. Thus, for example, the character Ena is an active, intellectual and liberal woman capable to manipulate and control men who lives at her own free will. This active and liberal personality is clearly not the favored type of woman under Franco, which prefers a society where men are the dominant figures. Another female character, Gloria, places herself far from the Catholicism based morality during the Franco period as she is having an affair with her husband's brother. We also find examples of the opposite, that is, affinity with Franco ideals, such as Angustias' decision to become a member of the convent, in line with the motto "Spain, united and great, through Catholicism"; the example of Ena's mother, nurturing six sons and daughters, also resonates with Franco ideology of a woman's role in the Spanish society, being mostly a reproductive instrument. One of the topics of this novel is the confrontation between the prewar petit bourgeoisie and the new postwar bourgeoisie. We can appreciate a big difference between the lifes of Andrea's family and Pons' family. Andrea has friendly relationships with friends from the new bourgeoisie; however, these interactions are not genuine, but superficial. Because of that, we also conclude that this novel reflects the underlying conflicts between different social strata. We also observe the conflicts and confrontations between republicans and nationalists in this society, through the relationships between two brothers, Juan y $Rom{\acute{a}}n$. During the civil war, Juan collaborates with the national faction, while $Rom{\acute{a}}n$ joins the republican faction. Consequently, they separate from each other due to their different ideologies. We will conclude that this novel also reflects on the idea that the Spanish civil war destroyed fraternity and separated families.