Tristana e Irene, dos historias de mujeres decimonónicas en las «Novelas contemporáneas» de Benito Pérez Galdós
Tristana and Irene, the Stories of Two 19th Century Women in Benito Pérez Galdós’s “Contemporary Novels”

Summary/Abstract: For Benito Pérez Galdós the novel is “the image of life”, as he him -self pointed out during his acceptance speech at the Royal Spanish Academy, therefore in his view writers must strive to faithfully portray the events and the characters’ thoughts in their novels. Furthermore, Galdós’s interest in women is undeniable. In his eagerness to bear witness to the life of his contemporaries, the illustrious writer thoroughly and conscientiously reflected upon the status of women in his era. Tristana is the protagonist of the homonymous novel, while Irene is one of the main characters in El amigo Manso. Both women reveal opposite personalities, since Tristana aspires to a professional career and independence, without having to rely on a man, while Irene, who already has a profession and is independent, dreams about depending on a man by getting married and not working anymore. Tristana struggles to complete her studies and find her vocation, wishes to have a career and, even though she is in love, does not want to marry. Irene is a good governess and works in the house of a wealthy family and is also in love, but she pursues marriage and being maintained by her husband.

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