The Novel by Patricio de la Escosura "The Patriarch of the Valley" in the Context of the Spanish Political Discourse of the 19<sup>th</sup> Century

Abstract

The article presents the results of a study dedicated to the novel by the Spanish writer P. de la Escosura "The Patriarch of the Valley", first published in 1846. The novel is analyzed in the context of the Spanish political discourse of the 1830s-1840s. In the course of the study, the 2009 edition of “The Patriarch of the Valley” was used. The historical approach to the study of political discourse was used in the work. The characters in the novel were divided into 4 groups depending on their political views: (1) right-wing Carlists (conservatives); (2) moderate Carlists; (3) moderate liberals; (4) radical liberals. A comparative analysis of the images of characters belonging to different groups has been carried out. The tendencies of displaying real historical figures in the novel are considered. An analysis of the intertext of "The Patriarch of the Valley" is made. P. de la Escosura included in his novel references to the literary works of contemporary Spanish writers who were on the same ideological positions as the author of "The Patriarch of the Valley". It is concluded that "The Patriarch of the Valley" was not an ordinary serial, but was used by the author as a tool of political propaganda.