Fray Gerundio is a satirical newspaper, written by Modesto Lafuente y Zamalloa between 1837 and 1842, whose object was to criticize contemporary politics and society. There has been little written about this weekly, in the first place because Lafuente’s extraordinary reputation as a historian overshadowed his journalistic work. As well, a complete study of the fifteen volumes of Fray Gerundio is a monumental task, due mainly to obscure and arcane references to events and figures of society, politics and local customs of the Spain of the period. Lafuente was immersed in the pettiness of the political and literary world of the capital, and was aware of the instability of the Spanish political situation of the moment. Faced with this chaotic political and economical circumstances writers took to satire as the best lens through which to view reality.
In this dissertation, I study Lafuente’s periodical and analyze it considering the style (satire and “costumbrismo”), topics, structure and the two characters, who were the main reason for the immediate success of the publication: Fray Gerundio, from whom the periodical took its name, and the lay brother Tirabeque. Fray Gerundio is a friar forced from his convent as a result of a law promulgated by the minister Juan Alvarez Mendizábal in 1835 mandating the sale of all church property. Lafuente made him into a man of letters, a suitable alter ego and spokesman for his ideas. In contrast, the lay brother Tirabeque is an ignorant rustic who has no comprehension of politics. But under this simple appearance is a sharp wit whose comical criticisms hit the nail on the head. Fray Gerundio appeared weekly and was composed of articles written entirely by Lafuente, grouped under the heading “Capilladas”.
I am writing this study of the satirical periodical Fray Gerundio with the ultimate goal of incorporating Modesto Lafuente into the canon of Spanish literature. Although he is already a fundamental figure for historical studies, in my opinion he deserves to be included among the most important authors of satire, “costumbrismo” and political commentary of the 19th century.