Quintana's funeral

Abstract

Throughout the nineteenth century, writers reached a social role increasingly important as an expression of a certain political ideals. The use of their literary image by the state is clearly seen in ceremonies such as coronations and funerals. During the funeral of the poet Manuel José Quintana we can study the liberal state’s ability to implement his own public rituals, and his limitations. Quintana, moral example of Spanish liberalism, thus became a public man who went to the pantheon of the nation’s moral referents.