María Odette Canivell Arzú explores the intricate connections between literature, politics, and cultural narratives. Her work investigates how national symbols and notions of heroism are constructed and disseminated through intellectual and literary processes. The author delves into the historical and societal repercussions of thought, examining, for instance, the impact of Freud on the modern world. Her writing probes the complex interplay between the creative arts, power structures, and the shaping of collective identity.
Literary Narratives and the Cultural Imagination analyzes the cultural imaginaries of the United Kingdom and Spain through their national heroes, King Arthur and Don Quijote, and compares the ways in which they have been constructed as marketing tools.
National heroes are a staple of practically every culture in the world. Through the analysis of the traits, values and personality of heroes it is possible to get a glimpse into the psyche of a given culture. By examining the figures of Don Quijote de La Mancha and King Arthur, a comparison of the world view, of the mores, and of the ideal characteristics that made Spain and Great Britain choose these exceptional representatives can be attained, highlighting the similarities and differences between both cultures.