20th-Century Spanish Literature and Culture

Posted on Oct 5, 2024 in Latin

Historical Context

  • Reign of Alfonso XIII: His mother, Maria Cristina, ruled as regent until he assumed the throne.
  • Primo de Rivera’s Rise to Power: Overthrew the regency of Maria Cristina.
  • The Second Republic: King Alfonso XIII went into exile in Italy, leading to a period of instability and confrontation.
  • Spanish Civil War (1936-1939): A period of armed conflict.
  • Franco’s Dictatorship: General Franco ruled Spain after the Civil War.
  • Restoration of the Monarchy: Following Franco’s death in 1975.

Cultural Context

  • Influence of Marxism and Psychoanalysis: Sigmund Freud’s theories on childhood and dreams impacted literature and painting.
  • Triumph of the Avant-Garde Movements.
  • Development of Existentialist Philosophy.
  • Advancements in Communication and Education.

Avant-Garde Movements (Vanguards)

A diverse range of artistic movements impacting painting, music, literature, and more. Characterized by a radical break from tradition and a focus on the present and future.

These movements, often referred to as “isms,” were typically short-lived but aimed for significant change. They often produced manifestos outlining their goals and methods.

Futurism

Originating in 1909 with Filippo Tommaso Marinetti’s manifesto, Futurism celebrated:

  1. Speed: The victory of a race car was seen as the epitome of beauty.
  2. The Machine: A fascination with the developing industrial age.
  3. Force and War: Seen as a means of “hygiene” for the world, ensuring the survival of the fittest.

Futurism’s influence in Spanish literature was limited, with some examples in the works of Pedro Salinas and Rafael Alberti.

Ultraism

A Spanish movement that aimed to push boundaries. Guillermo de la Torre’s calligrams, visual poems shaped like their subjects, exemplify this movement’s focus on the visual arts.

Dadaism

A nonsensical and illogical movement that embraced chance and absurdity. Dadaists invented the collage and used unconventional sounds and words in their poetry.

Surrealism

The most significant and widespread avant-garde movement, Surrealism drew inspiration from dreams and the world of children. Key figures in Spanish Surrealism include:

  1. Federico García Lorca (Poet in New York)
  2. Rafael Alberti (Sobre los ángeles)
  3. Vicente Aleixandre (Espadas como labios)

Juan Ramón Jiménez

The first Spanish Nobel laureate in Literature. His life and work are divided into three stages:

  1. Becquerian Stage: Early, melancholic works influenced by Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer.
  2. Modernist Stage: Works like Platero y yo, influenced by Rubén Darío.
  3. Intellectual Stage: Abstract and philosophical poetry culminating in Dios deseado y deseando.

Greguería

Ramón Gómez de la Serna’s term for his humorous metaphors, considered by some as the triumph of subjectivity.

Generation of ’27

A group of poets who paid homage to Luis de Góngora and sought to reconcile classical tradition with the avant-garde.

The Student Residence

A hub for the Generation of ’27 in Madrid, attracting figures like Juan Ramón Jiménez and Albert Einstein.

Characteristics

  1. Blending Tradition and Avant-Garde.
  2. Highly Metaphorical Language.

Stages

1927-1939
  • Pure Poetry: Dehumanized poetry focused on the art itself, exemplified by Jorge Guillén’s Cántico.
  • Avant-Garde: Particularly Surrealism.
Later Period
  • Federico García Lorca: Known for his classical, folk-inspired poetry and plays, including tragedies like Blood Wedding and The House of Bernarda Alba.
  • Pedro Salinas: Simple, conversational style.
  • Gerardo Diego: Diverse styles and personal themes.
  • Vicente Aleixandre: Free verse, anaphora, and enumerations.

Postwar Lyric (from 1939)

Influenced by figures like Dámaso Alonso, Miguel Hernández, and Antonio Machado.

1940s

  • Rooted Poetry (poesía arraigada): Traditional style and themes of love, death, and beauty.
  • Uprooted Poetry (poesía desarraigada): Existential themes and avant-garde techniques.

1950s: Social Poetry

Focus on social issues with a less formal style.

1960s: Generation of Experience

Personal and intimate themes, often reflecting on childhood.

1970s: The Nine Newest

Influence of media, collage, and Anglo-Saxon poetry, with themes of loneliness and modern society.