Dissertation: "The National Award in Narrative Literature and the Role of Art in Democratic Spain (1977-2011)"

Certified Spring 2012

Sally Perret's dissertation studies a selection of novels that have won the Spanish National Award in Narrative Literature (1977-2011)—a prize that is sponsored by the Spanish state. Drawing from theorists such as Etienne Balibar, Roberto Esposito and Jacques Rancière, her project examines how the National Award, as a label, has been used to reinforce particular ideas of the Spanish nation, of art and of the citizen's role in democratic Spain. By surveying the evolution of the rules that have governed the prize throughout the democratic period, the types of works that are distinguished by it and the way these texts are received in and out of Spain, the project emphasizes the role the award has played in the creation of "national cohesion" and therefore in maintaining a specific idea of Spain and of Spanish literature in the democratic period. The project also demonstrates how, as one of the more visible literary prizes in the country, the National Award likewise serves to promote a specific idea of literature as a "high art" worthy of praise. It maintains that it is because literature is viewed as a distinct and prestigious world that the idea of a multicultural yet cohesive national literary canon can be sustained. Finally, the project also explores the role the National Award plays in promoting democratic values, in general, and active citizenship, in particular. It claims that, in addition to being a practice that benefits the state, the National Award also has the potential to be a platform from which to discuss a wide variety of social issues, thus providing citizens the opportunity to help shape the way the nation is perceived. In all, the dissertation argues that the National Award in Narrative Literature can be read as a powerful metaphor of the limitations and possibilities that nearly thirty-five years of democracy has brought to Spain.