24 Jan “El Sí de las Niñas”: a timeless work for learning Spanish

Introduction: a classic play and a fascinating context

On January 24, 1806, Leandro Fernández de Moratín presented “El Sí de las Niñas”, a comedy that would leave an indelible mark on the history of Spanish theater. Born in Madrid in 1760, Moratín was an iconic writer, playwright, and poet of the Spanish Enlightenment.

In this work, he criticizes arranged marriages and social inequalities, recurring themes of his era. The historical context of 18th-century Spain, characterized by enlightened reforms and the tensions between tradition and modernity, serves as the backdrop for this satirical yet reformist comedy. This framework makes the play particularly appealing to those in Strasbourg who wish to learn Spanish in Strasbourg while exploring Iberian history and culture.

Leandro Fernández de Moratín, portrayed in 1799 by Goya (Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando).

Development: an in-depth analysis of the work

Characters: a reflection of societal tensions

El Sí de las Niñas features three main characters:

– Doña Paquita: A young woman forced to marry a man she did not choose.

– Don Diego: An older, wealthy, yet kind man who represents wisdom and moderation.

– Don Carlos: A young man in love with Paquita, symbolizing sincere love.

The interactions between these characters reflect the tension between individual freedom and social conventions, shedding light on the challenges faced by women of that era.

Main themes: modernity and education

The central theme of the play is the right to self-determination, particularly for women. Moratín denounces arranged marriages and advocates for education that values freedom of choice and equality. Other themes include:

– Social criticism: a satire of the era’s conventions.

– Enlightenment morality: the importance of reason and education.

Literary style and language: an accessible writing

Moratín employs a clear and concise style, accessible to readers and audiences from all walks of life. The natural dialogues make the work ideal for Spanish language students looking to enrich their vocabulary while discovering authentic language.

Cover of an edition of ‘El sí de las niñas’ (1806), one of the most emblematic works of Spanish theatre in the Age of Enlightenment.

“El sí de las niñas” and Spanish teaching

Didactic Proposals

Studying El Sí de las Niñas in a Spanish class in Strasbourg not only improves linguistic skills but also immerses students in Spanish history and culture. Possible activities include:

– Dialogue analysis: Students can study idiomatic expressions and typical grammatical structures of the time.

– Role-playing: Reenacting key scenes to practice pronunciation and oral expression.

– Debate: Organizing discussions about themes like individual freedom and arranged marriages, connecting these ideas to modern contexts.

– Cultural research: Exploring the historical and social context of Enlightenment Spain.

Why choose El Sí de las Niñas?

This play offers rich, varied content suitable for learners at all levels. It combines language learning with cultural discovery, two essential elements for those wishing to learn Spanish in Strasbourg.

Conclusion: a work to rediscover

El Sí de las Niñas is more than just a play. It is a window into a bygone era and a valuable pedagogical tool to enrich Spanish courses in Strasbourg. By exploring this work, students will discover not only a language but also a culture and ideals that still resonate today.

Here is a selection of interesting resources related to El sí de las niñas by Leandro Fernández de Moratín. These links include video performances of the play, options for downloading the work in PDF format and other relevant sources:

Theatrical performances on video

– “El sí de las niñas” – Theatre, TVE
ReprésentaPerformance of the work by the Spanish Theatre Company of Madrid, broadcast by Spanish Television.tion de l’œuvre par la Compagnie du Théâtre Espagnol de Madrid, diffusée par Télévision Espagnole.
(YouTube)

– “El sí de las niñas” – Classical Theatre
Classic theatrical version available on YouTube.
(YouTube)

Download the work in PDF format

– Miguel de Cervantes Virtual Library
Texte intégral de El sí de las niñas available online.
(Miguel de Cervantes Virtual Library)

– Elejandría
Free download of the work in PDF format.
(Elejandría)

Other resources

– Miguel de Cervantes Virtual Library
Detailed article on El sí de las niñas, including historical background and analysis.
(Miguel de Cervantes Virtual Library)

– Theatre Documentation Centre
Additional resources on the work and its impact on Spanish theatre.
(RTVE)

These resources offer a complete overview of El sí de las niñas, from its stage performance to its literary analysis, and are useful for further study of this classic work of Spanish theatre.