The Judaism of Galdos' Daniel Morton

Abstract

I that in Gloria the religion of Daniel T HAS OFTEN BEEN CLAIMED Morton is merely a superficial pastiche that neither defines nor determines the character's ideology or behavior.1 Yet, in this work, for perhaps the first time in Hispanic letters, a Spanish novelist seeks to vindicate the image of the Jew, to explain his suffering and his moral position, and to present him in a manner that redeems him from the unjust rejection of Christian society. Thus, it is difficult to believe that Gald6s gave little thought to Morton's religious orientation2 and was content to present not a genuine Jew, but one that was so in name only. In order to appreciate the dramatic departure that the author initiates in the character of Morton, it is necessary to remember that in the classic interpretation of Christian theology the Jew is associated with values and ideas that are no longer relevant. Because he adheres to the Old Covenant and renounces the New, he is seen as obdurate, evil and dangerous. In Gloria, however, Gald6s intentionally reinstates the Jew to a position of moral and intellectual dignity. Daniel Morton's principles are all admirable and respectable; furthermore, they are never in conflict with Christian teachings. The Jew is promoted as the exponent of a simple monotheistic religion that is still valid and appropriate. However, in order to present this revised image of the Jew to his Spanish audience, the novelist has to camouflage the character's identity for the entire first half of the novel. There is no doubt that, conscious of ancient Christian and Spanish prejudices toward the Jew, Gald6s felt that, had he divulged his hero's identity at the outset, the unprecedented acceptance of Morton would have been rendered implausible. To understand the nature of Morton's religious commitment we must realize that G ld6s based his research on Judaism almost entirely on the Bible, particularly the later prophetic writings of the Old Testament.3 He hoped to present a Jew who was intimately involved with the vital and always pertinent aspects of his religious heritage: the concern for justice, for reason, and for moral righteousness. In the process the novelist wished to contrast the stark in-