Research Emma De Clerck

Abstract

The early 20th century in Spain marked a significant shift in reading habits, exemplified by the rise of "kiosk literature": pocket-sized novellas written for the popular classes. Unlike the serialized 19th-century "folletíns," these novellas were standalone short stories, with the "novela rosa" being the top-selling genre. Traditionally, "novelas rosas" centered around a monogamous, heterosexual relationship and culminated with a betrothal and/or marriage. However, in the 1920s, left-wing women writers, particularly anarchists, reshaped this genre to address women's issues within the various frameworks of their political agendas. This project will explore the genre and anarcho-feminist thought of the "novelas rosas" in "La Novela Ideal" (1925-1938), published by the anarchist magazine "La Revista Blanca." Considered popular romance fiction, these novellas have been mostly overlooked by scholars. Nevertheless, this project will underscore their relevance for a deeper understanding of 20th-century Spanish and European feminism as well as the malleability of the romance genre.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Arbaiza Diana
• Fellow: De Clerck Emma

Research team(s)

• Antwerp Centre for Digital humanities and literary Criticism (ACDC)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The 1920s and 1930s witnessed a spurt in cultural activity in Spain. Women's horizons were expanding, which proved fertile ground for female literary production. It was particularly in the area of popular writing that women writers excelled. Many of these authors were activists, emerging from the camps of the radical left. This project will explore the genre and anarcho-feminist thought of the popular novellas in La Novela Ideal (1925-1938), a collection published by the anarchist magazine La Revista Blanca. Classified as romance fiction, these novellas have been neglected by scholars. However, this project will highlight their relevance for a deeper understanding of the interrelation between anarchist and feminist thinking as well as the malleability of the romance genre. Using advanced machine learning methodology, I will demonstrate how these novellas advanced debates that reappeared much later in the 20th and even the 21st century. This project will also underline their contribution to contemporary feminist thought, thus enriching current-day gender studies.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Arbaiza Diana
• Fellow: De Clerck Emma

Research team(s)

• Antwerp Centre for Digital humanities and literary Criticism (ACDC)

Project type(s)

• Research Project