Doña Perfecta
Encyclopedia
Doña Perfecta is a 19th century realist
novel by Benito Pérez Galdós
from what is called the first of Galdós's three epochs in his novels of social analysis.
arranged between Pepe's father Juan and Juan's sister, Perfecta.
Upon getting to know each other, Pepe and Rosario declare their eternal love, but in steps Don Inocencio, the cathedral canon, who meddles and obstructs the marriage as well as the good intentions of Doña Perfecta and her brother Don Juan. Over the course of time, several events lead up to a confrontation between Pepe Rey and his aunt Perfecta, which is caused by her refusal to allow Pepe and Rosario to marry, because Pepe is a non-believer. The novel ends up with the death of Pepe Rey due to his aunt Perfecta. Rosario, Perfecta's daughter and Pepe's love turns mad and ends up in a madhouse.
The novel illustrates the great power that the church wielded. It also describes the differences between the traditional, provincial outlook, and the modern, liberal outlook of Madrid
, the capital.
set in Mexican sites and times with Dolores del Río
as Doña Perfecta.
In 1977, the film version was written and directed by César Fernández Ardavín. Julia Gutiérrez Caba
played Doña Perfecta. The cast included other important actors such as José Luis López Vázquez
, Manuel Sierra, Victoria Abril
, Emilio Gutiérrez Caba
, Fernando Sancho
and Mirta Miller
.
In 1985, there is a TV version made in Venezuela
by Venezolana de Televisión with Lupita Ferrer
as Doña Perfecta.
Literary realism
Literary realism most often refers to the trend, beginning with certain works of nineteenth-century French literature and extending to late-nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century authors in various countries, towards depictions of contemporary life and society "as they were." In the spirit of...
novel by Benito Pérez Galdós
Benito Pérez Galdós
Benito Pérez Galdós was a Spanish realist novelist. Considered second only to Cervantes in stature, he was the leading Spanish realist novelist....
from what is called the first of Galdós's three epochs in his novels of social analysis.
Plot summary
The action occurs in 19th century Spain, when a young liberal named Don José (Pepe) Rey, arrives in a cathedral city named Orbajosa, with the intention of marrying his cousin Rosario. This was a marriage of convenienceMarriage of convenience
A marriage of convenience is a marriage contracted for reasons other than the reasons of relationship, family, or love. Instead, such a marriage is orchestrated for personal gain or some other sort of strategic purpose, such as political marriage. The phrase is a calque of - a marriage of...
arranged between Pepe's father Juan and Juan's sister, Perfecta.
Upon getting to know each other, Pepe and Rosario declare their eternal love, but in steps Don Inocencio, the cathedral canon, who meddles and obstructs the marriage as well as the good intentions of Doña Perfecta and her brother Don Juan. Over the course of time, several events lead up to a confrontation between Pepe Rey and his aunt Perfecta, which is caused by her refusal to allow Pepe and Rosario to marry, because Pepe is a non-believer. The novel ends up with the death of Pepe Rey due to his aunt Perfecta. Rosario, Perfecta's daughter and Pepe's love turns mad and ends up in a madhouse.
The novel illustrates the great power that the church wielded. It also describes the differences between the traditional, provincial outlook, and the modern, liberal outlook of Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
, the capital.
Film, TV or theatrical adaptations
In 1950 Alejandro Galindo directed a film adaptation written by Gunther GerzsoGünther Gerzso
Gunther Gerzso was a Hungarian Mexican painter, designer and director and screenwriter for film and theatre.Born in Mexico City, in the times of the Revolution, to Oscar Gerzso , a Hungarian immigrant and Dore Wendland, German by birth. After his father's death, a few months after Gunther was...
set in Mexican sites and times with Dolores del Río
Dolores del Río
Dolores del Río was a Mexican film actress. She was a star of Hollywood films during the silent era and in the Golden Age of Hollywood...
as Doña Perfecta.
In 1977, the film version was written and directed by César Fernández Ardavín. Julia Gutiérrez Caba
Julia Gutiérrez Caba
Julia Gutiérrez Caba is a Spanish theatre and film actress.-Biography:She is the daughter of actors Emilio Gutierrez and Irene Caba Alba and sister of the actress Irene Gutiérrez Caba and actor Emilio Gutiérrez Caba....
played Doña Perfecta. The cast included other important actors such as José Luis López Vázquez
José Luis López Vázquez
José Luis López Vázquez de la Torre was a Spanish actor. -Career:López Vázquez was born in Madrid. He originally worked in theater as a costume designer, a scenic designer, and as an assistant director to Pío Ballesteros and Enrique Herreros. In 1946, he switched over to film, with a small role in...
, Manuel Sierra, Victoria Abril
Victoria Abril
Victoria Abril is a Spanish film actress. She is best known to international audiences for her performance in the movie ¡Átame! by director Pedro Almodóvar....
, Emilio Gutiérrez Caba
Emilio Gutiérrez Caba
Emilio Gutiérrez Caba is a Spanish film and television actor.-Personal:Caba is the son of actors Emilio Gutierrez and Irene Caba Alba and brother of the actresses Irene Gutiérrez Caba and Julia Gutiérrez Caba...
, Fernando Sancho
Fernando Sancho
Fernando Sancho was a Spanish actor. Sancho was born in Zaragoza, Aragón, Spain, and died in Madrid after surgery....
and Mirta Miller
Mirta Miller
Mirta Miller is an Argentine film actress. She has appeared in over 65 films since 1961. She was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina.-Selected filmography:* No Exit * Una chica casi decente...
.
In 1985, there is a TV version made in Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
by Venezolana de Televisión with Lupita Ferrer
Lupita Ferrer
Lupita Ferrer is a Venezuelan theater, film and television actress.Ferrer was born Yolanda Guadalupe Ferrer in Maracaibo to Spanish immigrant parents. She became famous for her beauty and her strong theatrical presence.Ferrer has a strong theatrical background...
as Doña Perfecta.
External links
- Doña Perfecta (bilingual e-book with Spanish and English versions side-by-side).