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Building upon James Whiston’s studies on Galdós’ dedication to the correction of his manuscripts and his preoccupation with contemporary matters, this article sets out to explore the novelist’s hitherto largely overlooked attention to language, and particularly its effectiveness in his work as a vehicle for communication. The article highlights Galdós’ concern with the superficiality of language employed in the oratorical sphere and examines why his style was undervalued during his lifetime. Using Torquemada en la hoguera as a case study, the article then proceeds to explore the different styles and the significance of individual words within this novel. Revealing that words can be used to deceive others, and additionally lead to misunderstandings, this study moves on to highlight Galdós’ sensitivity to non-verbal communication and examines the way that he innovatively employs body language. Torquemada en la hoguera is shown to reveal the author’s dissatisfaction with the superficiality of fin de siglo society, its propensity for imitation and the major problems it has in communication; the novel is seen also to expose the challenge faced by Realist writers attempting to use words to reproduce life. Finally, this article contends that Galdós uses language in Torquemada en la hoguera (and other novels) to incite readers to engage in a process of self-regeneration.
