Ortega’s Metaphor versus Zambrano’s Symbol. A Divergence

Abstract

There are great similarities and stylistic analogies between the essays and philosophical writings of José Ortega y Gasset (1883-1955) and María Zambrano (1904-1991), derived from the university relationship they had during the late 1920’s, which can be seen in María Zambrano’s respect and admiration towards Ortega y Gasset as her teacher. Taking the use of metaphor in María Zambrano’s works as the starting point of this analysis, the present article explores the evolution of Zambrano’s style, from a remarkable initial Ortegan influence in her very early writings to how she defines her own path, where the metaphor slowly disappears and the symbol becomes an increasingly central element of her literary expression.