Two roads in the sociology of literature: Towards a programmatic definition of the sociology of Spanish literature

Abstract

In opposition to other areas of sociological inquiry, the sociology of literature has not been able to establish a strong and solid theoretical position as a sub-discipline. Hence two almost completely different approaches exist within it. On the one hand, an «internalist» approach focuses on the content of literary works and is more concerned with theory —implying an idealistic point of view. The internalist approach conceives of the book as a reflection of society in a concrete time period. On the other hand, the «externalist» approach is more concerned with empirical work and focuses on social modes of literary production and consumption. Bourdieu’s sociology of the literary field and the works of his followers are representative examples of this second orientation. After reviewing certain French, Anglo-Saxon and Spanish traditions in the sociology of literature during the last two decades (Bourdieu, Sapiro, González García, Griswold, etc.), this article attempts to draw a valid theoretical framework for a future research project about the sociology of Spanish literature