Nuances in the representation of time in the works of Miguel Delibes

Authors

  • Maria-Teresa De Pieri

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4312/vh.20.2.61-77

Keywords:

time, death, old age, myth, irony

Abstract

This work analyzes the representation of time and its nuances in the novels and newspaper articles of Miguel Delibes. The category of time is related to an idea of existence that follows the cycles of nature; it is a natural and mythical time, both a personal and collective one, whose fleeting nature can be halted only by the power of words. In his works Delibes tries to preserve a vocabulary on the verge of extinction in today’s day and age. The ironic tone in which he reflects on the relentless fl owing of existence – such as in La hoja roja, Cartas de amor de un sexagenario voluptuoso and other articles – is juxtaposed to a more serious and careful tone adopted for instance, in Viejas historias de Castilla la Vieja (1964). Moreover, the theme of death is linked to the passing of time. In Señora de rojo sobre fondo gris Delibes analyzes it as a reflection of his tough personal experience, while in Cinco horas con Mario the author takes advantage of the absence of the male protagonist, who has just died, in order to reflect on the abyss separating the present from the past.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biography

  • Maria-Teresa De Pieri

    Maria-Teresa De Pieri se licenció en Letras en 1997 (Universidad de Venecia) con un trabajo sobre el escritor Vasco Pratolini. En el año 2000 consiguió la habilitación para la enseñanza de Literatura Italiana en Secundaria y la respectiva cátedra titular para la impartición de esta asignatura. En 2009 finalizó su segunda licenciatura en Lenguas y Literaturas Modernas (Universidad de Udine); desde el año 2010, también en la misma universidad, realiza el doctorado en «Scienze linguistiche e letterarie». Su actividad científica se centra en la narrativa y el teatro español contemporáneo, prestando particular atención a la figura de Miguel Delibes. 

Downloads

Published

31. 12. 2012

Issue

Section

Literature

How to Cite

De Pieri, M.-T. (2012). Nuances in the representation of time in the works of Miguel Delibes. Verba Hispanica, 20(2), 61-77. https://doi.org/10.4312/vh.20.2.61-77