Jorge Isaacs

Jorge Isaacs[1†]

Jorge Isaacs Ferrer (1837-1895) was a prominent Colombian writer, politician, and soldier. Born in Cali, Valle del Cauca, he is best known for his novel "María", a cornerstone of Romantic Spanish-language literature. His father, George Henry Isaacs, was an English Jew from Jamaica. Isaacs' literary and political contributions significantly influenced Colombian culture[1†][2†][3†].

Early Years and Education

Jorge Isaacs Ferrer, also known as Jorge Ricardo Isaacs Ferrer, was born on April 1, 1837, in Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia[2†][1†]. He was the son of George Henry Isaacs, an English Jew originally from Jamaica[2†][1†][4†]. His father first settled in Chocó, where he made a fortune from gold mining and trade with the Caribbean[2†][1†]. He then moved to Cali where he applied for his citizenship from Simon Bolivar[2†][1†].

Isaacs received an excellent education[2†][4†]. He was first educated in Cali, then in Popayán, and finally, in Bogotá between 1848 and 1852[2†][1†]. However, Isaacs returned to Santiago de Cali in 1852 without finishing his baccalaureate studies[2†][1†].

His mother was Manuela Ferrer Scarpetta, daughter of a Spanish Navy officer[2†][1†]. He also owned two haciendas near Cali, called “La Manuelita” (named after his wife) and "El Paraíso"[2†][1†]. The latter would provide the setting for his novel, María[2†][1†].

Isaacs was born into a prosperous family and was raised as a Catholic[2†][4†]. In 1868, he became a Freemason[2†][4†]. Despite his diverse religious influences, he nevertheless assumed what he defined as his “racial” Jewish identity[2†][4†].

Career Development and Achievements

Jorge Isaacs Ferrer, also known as Jorge Ricardo Isaacs Ferrer, was not only a renowned writer but also a politician and soldier[1†][4†]. His career was marked by significant contributions to literature, politics, and the military[1†][4†].

Isaacs’ literary career began with his first poems written between 1859 and 1860[1†]. During this time, he also wrote several dramas of historical theme[1†]. His only novel, “María”, published in 1867, became one of the most notable works of the Romantic movement in Spanish-language literature[1†][2†][1†][5†]. This novel is an idyllic picture, very likely autobiographical, of life in his native Cauca Valley[1†][2†]. Despite his diverse literary efforts, none of his later works fulfilled the promise of his first two volumes[1†][2†].

In addition to his literary pursuits, Isaacs was politically active[1†][4†]. He served as the President of the Sovereign State of Antioquia from February 1, 1880, to March 13, 1880[1†]. He was affiliated with the Conservative Party and the Radical Party[1†].

Isaacs also had a military career. He fought for seven months in the Cauca Campaign against the dictatorship of General José María Melo in 1854[1†]. Later, in 1860, he took arms again, this time against General Tomás Cipriano de Mosquera, and saw action in the Battle of Manizales during the Colombian Civil War[1†].

Despite his diverse career paths, Isaacs is best remembered for his contributions to literature, particularly his novel “María”, which continues to be celebrated as one of the most significant works of 19th-century Latin American literature[1†][2†][1†][5†].

First Publication of His Main Works

Jorge Isaacs is best known for his novel “María”, which was published in 1867[1†][2†][6†]. This novel became one of the most notable works of the Romantic movement in Spanish-language literature[1†][2†][6†]. The novel is an idyllic picture, very likely autobiographical, of life in his native Cauca Valley[1†][2†]. It has been translated into several languages and continues to be recognized for its significant contribution to Latin American literature[1†][2†][6†].

Here is a brief summary of “María”:

• María (1867): This novel is a classic example of romantic literature, focusing on the love story between María and Efraín. The story is set in the picturesque Cauca Valley and is believed to be semi-autobiographical[1†][2†][6†].

Despite the enduring success of “María”, none of Isaacs’ later works fulfilled the promise of this novel[1†][2†]. His other works, while less known, also contributed to his reputation as a significant figure in Colombian literature[1†][2†][6†].

Analysis and Evaluation

Jorge Isaacs’ work, particularly his novel “María”, has been the subject of extensive critical analysis. The novel is often categorized alongside works like Rostand’s “Cyrano de Bergerac”, as it appeals to the young and naive who are not yet disillusioned by the skepticism of experience[7†]. The tragic and innocent love story depicted in “María” has moved many readers[7†].

The assumptions underlying critical thought on Jorge Isaacs’ classic novel “María” have been quite traditional. During much of the twentieth century, studies were limited to the sources of the book, comparisons or influences of European models, or thematic and biographical investigations[7†][8†]. A line of thought maintained that its numerous deviations from the principal story line undermined its effectiveness as a coherent novel[7†][8†]. However, more recent readings have demonstrated the book’s unity[7†][8†].

Another interesting aspect of Isaacs’ work is the exploration of a Jewish thematic current, self-awareness, or perspective in “María”. While scholars have long exhibited an awareness of Isaacs’s paternal Jewish descent and at times made observations concerning Jewish references or a Jewish outlook in the novel, it was Doris Sommer’s 1989 article “El mal de María: (Con)fusión en un romance nacional,” later included in her influential Foundational Fictions: The National Romances of Latin America (1991), that launched the current discussion over Jewish themes or thought in the novel[7†][9†].

In conclusion, Jorge Isaacs’ work, especially his novel “María”, has had a significant impact on Spanish-language literature. His unique blend of romanticism, personal experiences, and cultural influences has resulted in a body of work that continues to be studied and appreciated today[7†][8†][9†][7†].

Personal Life

Jorge Isaacs was born in Cali, Colombia, to an English father—a Christian convert from Judaism—and a Catholic Spanish mother[2†][1†]. He was also of Indian, Catalan, and Italian descent[2†][10†]. His father, George Henry Isaacs, was an English Jew originally from Jamaica[2†][1†]. He first settled in Chocó, where he made a fortune from gold mining and trade with the Caribbean[2†][1†]. He then moved to Cali where he applied for his citizenship from Simon Bolivar[2†][1†].

In 1856, Isaacs married Felisa González Umaña, who was fourteen years-old at the time[2†][1†]. They went on to have many children[2†][1†]. During the time of the civil wars, his family went through a period of economic hardship[2†][1†]. Isaacs tried unsuccessfully to become a merchant as his father[2†][1†]. He then turned to literature and wrote his first poems between 1859 and 1860[2†][1†].

During that time, he also wrote several dramas of historical theme[2†][1†]. Isaacs took arms again in 1860, this time against General Tomás Cipriano de Mosquera, and saw action in the Battle of Manizales during the Colombian Civil War[2†][1†]. In 1861, Isaacs’s father died; when the war ended, Isaacs returned to Cali to take over the administration of his father’s businesses, but he found them deeply in debt[1†]. This forced him to auction off two of his father’s haciendas “La Rita” and “La Manuelita”, which were bought by the industrialist Santiago Eder[2†][1†].

Conclusion and Legacy

Jorge Isaacs Ferrer, also known as Jorge Ricardo Isaacs Ferrer, left a significant legacy in the world of literature and politics[2†][1†]. His only novel, “María”, became one of the most notable works of the Romantic movement in Spanish-language literature[2†][1†]. This novel is an idyllic picture, very likely autobiographical, of life in his native Cauca Valley[2†]. It was translated into several languages and won immediate recognition[2†].

Despite the hardships he faced, including the destruction of his estates during the War of the Cauca and the subsequent economic difficulties, Isaacs continued to write until his death[2†][1†]. Although none of his later efforts fulfilled the promise of his first two volumes, his contribution to literature and his influence on the Romantic movement remain undeniable[2†][1†].

Isaacs was also politically active and served as the President of the Sovereign State of Antioquia[2†][1†]. He was a soldier and fought in the Colombian Civil War[2†][1†]. His diverse roles in society, from writer and politician to soldier, reflect his multifaceted personality and his commitment to his country[2†][1†].

Isaacs passed away on April 17, 1895, in Ibagué, Colombia[2†][1†]. His legacy continues to inspire and influence many, and he is remembered as one of Colombia’s greatest 19th-century novelists[2†][4†].

Key Information

• Also Known As: Jorge Isaacs Ferrer, Jorge Ricardo Isaacs Ferrer[1†][2†][10†][4†]
• Born: April 1, 1837, in Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia[1†][2†][10†][4†]
• Died: April 17, 1895, in Ibagué, Tolima, Colombia[1†][2†][10†][4†]
• Nationality: Colombian[1†][2†][10†][4†]
• Occupation: Writer, politician, and soldier[1†][2†][10†][4†]
• Notable Works: “María”, one of the most notable works of the Romantic movement in Spanish-language literature[1†][2†][10†][4†]
• Notable Achievements: Isaacs’ work has had a significant impact on Spanish literature and his contributions to the field continue to be recognized today[1†][2†][10†][4†]

References and Citations:

1. Wikipedia (English) - Jorge Isaacs [website] - link
2. Britannica - Jorge Isaacs: Colombian writer [website] - link
3. Poem Hunter - Jorge Isaacs - Poet Jorge Isaacs Poems [website] - link
4. Encyclopedia.com - Jorge Isaacs [website] - link
5. Prabook - Jorge Isaacs (April 1, 1837 — April 17, 1895), Colombian novelist, politician, Soldier [website] [archive] - link
6. Britannica - Maria: A South American Romance: work by Isaacs [website] - link
7. JSTOR - JSTOR: Access Check [website] - link
8. JSTOR - JSTOR: Access Check [website] - link
9. Decimónica - Vol. 18.1-2 - Shifting Critical Approaches to the Elusive Jewishness of María by Jorge Isaacs - Naomi Lindstrom [document] - link
10. Encyclopedia.com - Isaacs, Jorge (1837–1895) [website] - link