Title: La sátira política en la primera mitad del siglo XIX
Description: Fray Gerundio was a satirical weekly newspaper, written entirely by Modesto Lafuente y Zamalloa between 1837 and 1842. It was composed of articles grouped under the heading "Capilladas" whose object was to criticize contemporary politics and society. Little has been little written about this weekly, partly because Lafuente's extraordinary reputation as a historian overshadowed his journalistic work. A complete study of the fifteen volumes of Fray Gerundio is also a monumental task, due mainly to obscure and arcane references to events and figures of society, politics and local customs of the Spain of the period. Lafuente was immersed in the pettiness of the political and literary world of the capital, and was aware of the instability of the Spanish political situation of the moment. The author studies Lafuente's periodical and analyzes it considering the style (satire and "costumbrismo"), topics, structure and the two characters who were the main reason for the immediate success of the publication: Fray Gerundio, from whom the periodical took its name, and the lay brother Tirabeque. Fray Gerundio is a friar forced from his convent as a result of a law promulgated by the minister Juan Alvarez Mendizábal in 1835 mandating the sale of all church property. Lafuente made him a man of letters, a suitable alter ego and spokesman for his ideas. In contrast, the lay brother Tirabeque is an ignorant rustic who has no comprehension of politics, but whose sharp wit hits the nail on the head.
Subjects: Criticism and interpretation, Spanish Political satire, Spanish Satire, History and criticism, Politics and government, Humor, Social life and customs, History, Fray Gerundio, periódico satírico
Places: Spain
People: Modesto Lafuente (1806-1866)
Time periods: 19th century, 1833-1868, Carlist War, 1833-1840