Event Summary

The 14th online workshop hosted by the Taiwanese Association of Hispanists, titled "Tribute to Hispanic Literary Masters," was held to commemorate 60 years of Hispanism in Taiwan. Three distinguished scholars shared insights into classic imagery, humor literature, and the world of female writers in Hispanic literature.

Presentation Highlights

1. Poetics and Imagery of the River/Water: From Jorge Manrique to Jorge Luis Borges

Speaker: Prof. Luisa Shu-Ying Chang (NTU)

Highlights:

• Literary Milestones: Commemorated the 100th anniversary of Borges' first poetry collection, the 50th anniversary of Neruda's death, and the 25th of Octavio Paz's.
• Evolution of Water Imagery: Explored how "rivers" and "water" symbolize life and time, from Spanish medieval classics (Manrique) to modern Latin American poets (Borges).
• Comparative Literature: Compared Fray Luis de León's "Vida retirada" with Tao Yuanming's "Returning to Dwell in the Countryside," bridging Western and Eastern literary traditions.

2. The Humorist: Wenceslao Fernández Flórez

Speaker: Prof. Cecilia Pi-chiao Liu (Wenzao Ursuline University)

Highlights:

• Author Profile: Introduced the Galician master of realism and humor, a member of the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE).
• Stylistic Shift: Discussed his transition to less political writing (sports commentary and nature descriptions) after the Spanish Civil War.
• Nature and Humor: Analyzed his masterpiece The Animated Forest (El bosque animado), showcasing his unique blend of humor, realism, and naturalism.

3. Gender, Space, and Maternity: The Literary World of Carmen Martín Gaite

Speaker: Prof. Sophia Yang (NCCU)

Highlights:

• Growth of Female Consciousness: Examined how Carmen Martín Gaite depicted the changing social status of women from the Franco dictatorship to the democratic transition.
• Confinement and Escape: Analyzed spatial oppression in Behind the Curtains (Entre visillos) and the innovative structure of The Back Room (El cuarto de atrás).
• Maternity and Identity: Explored how female characters seek spatial balance and interpret the journey of motherhood in her 1990s works Lo raro es vivir and Irse de casa.

Event Information

• Time: April 21, 2023 (Fri) 20:00-21:30
• Location: Online
• Moderator: Prof. Sophia Yang