Clarín y Jovellanos

Abstract

Clarín wrote a juvenile and stirring ode, «Oda a Jovellanos» in 1875; since then , the famous writer from Gijón has always been a intelectual reference for Clarín troughout his life. The inauguration of the statue of Jovellanos and the celebration, three years later, of the Centenary of the Institute he founded prompted two heartfelt articles. Clarín engages into a lyric confession about his close and affectionate relationship with Jovellanos and carves out with strong feelings the genuine and multifaceted personality of the famous writer. Clarín also states that his is —spiritually impelled— to write an erudite book about the life and the work of —the illustrious writer from Asturias—. Faced with crisis of the end of the century, Clarín dwells on the reformist efforts accomplished in the previous century to bring back « Las Indias en casa», a requirement which is felt both as dramatic and compelling for a potential regeneration of the nation. The well known writer is one of the main characters («heroes»), of the tale titled «Tirso de Molina» based on the story of