48 Modem Spanish Literature
I shall deal with that great manifestation of the Spaniard,
the drama. In concluding the course I shall speak of novel-
ists and poets, with special reference to a few personalities.
I shall take as the theme of this first lecture the “hero,”
that word which sums up all that characteristically Spanish
chivalry, courage and pride which are included in the word
nobleza. Then tomorrow in dealing with the theatre I shall
choose as my theme Don Juan, the gallant; and lastly, Don
Quixote, the mystic. So in this way we shall get the three
themes of Spain—the hero, the gallant, and the mystic.
Spain is unique in the whole world, and especially in
Europe and most Europeans feel that, in a way, the Pyrenees
seem to end Europe. In a sense it is true that after we cross
the Pyrenees we arrive at an entirely different land. Here
there is a rugged strength that we do not find in the rest of
Europe; and that is why so many writers have stated that
Spain does not belong to Europe but to Africa, for if we
take the physical features of the country after we cross the
Pyrenees, we discover a parched and desert-like land in
greatest contrast to the smiling fields of France. Then
when we go through the plateau land of Castile it all seems
like a vast desert which has imposed its will on Spain. And
this primitive strength of the Castilian landscape leads all
our thoughts away from the tender suavity of Europe to
the ruggedness of Africa, where, as someone has said, “the
weather then dried up a soul too tender.”
The history of Spain is an immense tribute to all the sturdy
virtues of man. The Spaniard has created his world empire
from this country that looks so much like a desert; he has
mastered it, and in a way has created himself in its image.
And it is important to note that it has been the Castilian,
who has absorbed all the other nationalities contained in the
country. Take for instance Basques like Unamuno or Zulo-