"El terror de 1824" by Benito Pérez Galdós is a historical novel written in the late 19th century." The story primarily revolves around Patricio Sarmiento, a desperate and aging schoolmaster who seeks news of his son, Lucas, a soldier caught in the tumult of the early 19th-century Spanish political upheaval. As the narrative unfolds, it intertwines personal grief with broader themes of freedom and tyranny, presenting a vivid portrayal of the strugglesfaced by individuals and society during a time of conflict. "The opening of the novel introduces us to Patricio Sarmiento as he navigates a rainy night, burdened by the loss of his son amid Spain's political turmoil." Sarmiento is depicted as a disheveled and agitated figure, desperately seeking any information about Lucas's fate after hearing rumors of his death. We witness Sarmiento earlier interact with military officials, displaying the interplay between his personal despair and the broader societal fears surrounding revolutionary forces. Through dialogues with other characters, such as Colonel Garrote and the volunteer Francisco Romo, the narrative sets the stage for a tale filled with tension, foreboding, and the quest for truth amidst the chaos of war. (This is an automatically generated summary.)