Fascism and Racism in «Los pilotos de altura» (1929) y «La estrella del capitán Chimista» (1930)

Abstract

The publication of the last two novels of the Barojian trilogy "El mar" coincide with the rise of fascism and the dissemination of the cultural symbols and myths that make up its ideological framework. Many of Pío Baroja's journalistic articles focus on burning issues in the European intellectual atmosphere such as the Jewish question, the popularization of racist theories or the failure of parliamentary democracies. This article extends the Barojian interest in fascism beyond its articles and integrates it in these novels that flirt with fascism´s founding myths. The aesthetic and emotional connection of certain characters of these novels with the fascist culture does not mean that Baroja was fascist because these novels were satisfying certain editorial interests and popular tastes of the moment.