20th Century Spanish Literature: A Poetic & Narrative Journey
1. Early 20th Century Literature (1900-1939)
1.1. The Dawn of Modernism
Modernism marked the resurgence of anxiety, a characteristic of European Romantic literature. This era saw the revival of Symbolism and Parnassianism. Key themes included escapism, cosmopolitanism, romantic love, eroticism, and Hispanic American identity. Modernist poets emphasized sensory effects and poetic language, focusing on sound, rhythm, and symbolism. Nicaraguan poet Ruben Dario ushered in this era with Azul (1888). His influence significantly shaped Spanish poetry.
Modernism can be divided into two stages:
- Intellectual Stage: Poetry became more conceptually complex.
- Aesthetic Stage: Poets explored themes of poetic life, eternity, and transcendence.
Antonio Machado explored themes of time, melancholy, God, and death in works like Soledades (1903) and Campos de Castilla (1912).
1.2. The Vanguard and the Generation of ’27
From 1905 onwards, various artistic movements known as the Vanguards emerged, including Futurism, Cubism, Expressionism, Dadaism, and Surrealism. These movements, along with Creationism and Ultraism, introduced transgressive and disruptive approaches to all art forms.
The Generation of ’27, comprising Pedro Salinas, Jorge Guillén, Gerardo Diego, Dámaso Alonso, Vicente Aleixandre, Federico García Lorca, Luis Cernuda, Rafael Alberti, Emilio Prados, and Manuel Altolaguirre, sought balance and harmony between:
- Feelings and reason
- Cultured, avant-garde, and popular styles
Vicente Aleixandre expressed a desire for universal integration, reflected in his poetic landscapes. Federico García Lorca, a rigorous poet, combined inspiration, diverse influences, and compositional technique in works like Romancero Gitano (1928) and Poeta en Nueva York (1940).
Rafael Alberti‘s poetry showcased a variety of themes and styles, often returning to his roots. Notable works include Marinero en tierra (1922) and Sobre los ángeles (1929). Luis Cernuda explored themes of loneliness, desire, and an uninhabitable world. Emilio Prados and Manuel Altolaguirre also contributed to this literary landscape.
2. Narrative
2.1. The Generation of ’98
The late 19th century saw Spain grapple with a political and social crisis, exacerbated by the loss of Cuba and the Philippines in 1898. This gave rise to the Generation of ’98, including Miguel de Unamuno, José Martínez Ruiz (Azorín), Pío Baroja, and Ramiro de Maeztu. Ramón del Valle-Inclán and Antonio Machado are also often associated with this group.
These writers were preoccupied with Spain’s decline and the need for national regeneration, often symbolized by Castile. They also grappled with existential anxieties and religious questions.
Miguel de Unamuno‘s novels focused on the internal conflicts of his characters. His works can be categorized into three periods:
- Until 1897: Marked by a religious crisis, exemplified by Paz en la guerra (1897).
- 1897-1914: Explored themes of anguish and the struggle between reason and faith, as seen in Amor y pedagogía (1902).
- 1914-1936: Produced major works like Niebla (1914), La tía Tula (1921), and San Manuel Bueno, mártir (1933).
Pío Baroja, a prominent novelist, focused on character-driven narratives where events revolve around a protagonist destined for failure.
José Martínez Ruiz (Azorín) is known for his autobiographical novels, including La voluntad (1902), Antonio Azorín (1903), and Las confesiones de un pequeño filósofo (1904).
Valle-Inclán‘s work evolved through several stages, from Modernism (Sonatas, 1902-1905) to an intermediate period (Segunda Guerra Carlista) and finally, the esperpento style.
2.2. The Generation of ’14
The early 20th century also witnessed the emergence of the Generation of ’14, including:
- Gabriel Miró: Known for his meticulous prose and refined style.
- Ramón Pérez de Ayala: Employed a dense and ironic style, blending cultured and popular elements.
- Ramón Gómez de la Serna: Creator of the greguería, a short, witty phrase combining metaphor and humor.
3. Theater
3.1. Early 20th Century Theater
Theater in this period was heavily influenced by the bourgeois audience. Playwrights catered to their tastes, resulting in several theatrical trends:
- Triumphant Theater: Commercial and bourgeois theater, continuing 19th-century Realism, exemplified by Jacinto Benavente.
- Poetic Verse Theater: Blended Romanticism and Modernism, often with conservative ideologies.
- Comic Theater: Represented by the Álvarez Quintero brothers, known for their Andalusian settings and humor, and Carlos Arniches and Pedro Muñoz Seca.
- Innovative Theater (Vanguard): Unamuno’s”theater of idea” focused on character conflict. Jacinto Grau’s El señor de Pigmalión (1921) explored the theme of artistic creation. Jardiel Poncela and Miguel Mihura represented the”other Generation of ’27”
3.2. Ramón María del Valle-Inclán
Valle-Inclán constantly sought to innovate Spanish theater. His works can be divided into cycles:
- Myth Cycle: Includes Divinas palabras (1920) and the Comedias bárbaras trilogy.
- Farce Cycle: Features works like La marquesa Rosalinda (1913) and Farsa y licencia de la Reina Castiza (1920).
- Esperpento Cycle: Demystified reality through grotesque distortion.
3.3. Federico García Lorca
Lorca is a renowned Spanish playwright. His theater was based on three principles:
- Refining poetic drama: He effectively used language to evoke settings.
- Integrating avant-garde and traditional elements: He blended modern and classical techniques.
- Bringing theater to the people: He founded the university theater group “La Barraca” in 1932.
Lorca’s plays often featured women as central characters, exploring themes of freedom, patriarchal oppression, and tragic fate.