Isabel AllendeIntroduction
The history of the Latin literature traces its beginnings to indigenous poetry. The Latin literature is mainly divided into three major stages: the indigenous, the colonial period, and from Mexico's Independence until today. The indigenous language was rich in words suitable for expressing ideas, even the most complex. The missionaries, such as Fra Juan de Ayora started the difficult labor of interpreting the indigenous language. Fra Andres de Olmos wrote in 1547 Gramatica Mexicana (Mexican Grammar), which was the first book written in the New World. When, in 1542, the Mayan literature appeared, it kept some of the characteristics from the indigenous literature (Bustamante, 8-25).
The colonial period began around the 16th and 17th centuries. This period was marked by the emphasis on humanism, which was later known as The Golden Centuries. From humanism the literature in the 1830's changed to romanticism. The period of romanticism blended with humanism to the point where it constructed a vigorous tradition, from which much of the Latin morals were formed. Mexican literature achieved its independence by the last years of the 17th century and the first decade of the 19th century through the efforts of various writers who developed their on styles (Bustamante, 38-39, 139-150).
The Latin language and other elements of the Latin culture are visible in the daily lives of the people, and have been since the early beginnings of literature. The importance of the Spanish language in the vast cultural complexity that exists today cannot be overstated. The popularity of the Spanish language in America has a long history, and is second only to English in popularity.
The great Spanish literary tradition served as a vehicle for bringing the language and culture to America. Interest in Spanish literature began when English immigrants brought with them translations of Spanish masterpieces from The Golden Centuries. As early as 1683, private libraries in Philadelphia and Boston contained copies of the first picaresque novel, Lazarillo de Tormes and copies of the immortal epic of reality and illusion Don Quixote, by the great Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes (Lennon, 9-18).
The talent endowed in each of the Spanish writers required dedication and much hard work. Although many of them enjoyed rewards for their efforts during their lifetime, others died poor and unrecognized. All of them, however, stood out as individuals who lives made a difference, and whose achievements deserve recognition today. Their memory must be honored, as their examples motivate future generations.
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