La cuestión palpitante

essay by Pardo Bazán

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June 25, 2026

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"La cuestión palpitante" (1883), an essay by Emilia Pardo Bazán, introduced naturalism to Spain. This literary movement, inspired by scientific principles, aimed for an unselective, objective representation of reality, often depicting characters as products of heredity and environment. Pardo Bazán championed a form of naturalism that still affirmed individual free will, sparking literary debate. Her essay brought French and Russian literary movements to Spain's attention. Naturalism, originating in France with figures like Émile Zola, emphasized determinism and a "slice of life" portrayal without moral judgment.12

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Emilia, condesa de Pardo Bazán
…with her polemical essay “La cuestión palpitante” (1883; “The Critical Issue”). It discussed Émile Zola and naturalism, made French and Russian literary movements known in Spain, and started an important literary controversy in which she championed a brand of naturalism that affirmed the free will of the individual. Her…
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…with her polemical essay “La cuestión palpitante” (1883; “The Critical Issue”). It discussed Émile Zola and naturalism, made French and Russian literary movements known in Spain, and started an important literary controversy in which she championed a brand of naturalism that affirmed the free will of the individual. Her…
Read More