20th-Century Spanish Literature: From Novecentismo to the Avant-Garde
1. Introduction: Novecento and the Generation of 1914
In the wake of World War I, a new intellectual and artistic movement emerged in Spain, influenced by the calls for change and renewal among European youth. This movement, known as Novecentismo, coincided with the rise of the Generation of 1914 (also known as G14), a group of writers and intellectuals who shared a common desire for cultural and literary reform.2. Novecentismo
Definition: Novecentismo refers to the work of a group of authors who reached their peak of influence and creativity from 1914 onward, coinciding with the emergence of the Generation of 1914. These authors were characterized by their solid intellectual formation and a shared desire for modernity and Europeanization in Spanish culture.
3. Stages
The Novecentismo movement can be divided into three main stages:
a) Initial Phase: First decade of the 20th century.
b) Maturity: 1914 – Coexistence with the Avant-Garde: 1920s.
c) Twilight: From 1930 onwards.4. General Characteristics
Politically, the Novecentistas were generally aligned with the bourgeoisie and advocated for reformism in Spain, echoing the concerns of the Generation of ’98. However, their approach was characterized by a sense of coldness and rigor in their analysis of Spain’s problems. Some key characteristics of Novecentismo include:
a) Orderly and Rational Approach: Emphasis on reason and objectivity in their analysis of social and cultural issues.
b) Appeal to a Cultured Minority: Their work was primarily aimed at a select group of intellectuals and cultural elites.
c) Openness to New Ideas: While advocating for modernization, they also recognized the importance of addressing Spain’s unique cultural heritage.
d) Reaction Against 19th-Century Art: They sought to break away from the sentimentalism and realism that characterized 19th-century art, employing three main mechanisms:
i. Derivation and Composition: Experimenting with language and creating new words.
ii. Neologisms, Cultisms, and Vulgarisms: Incorporating a wide range of linguistic registers.
iii. Revitalization of Etymology: Exploring the original meanings of words.5. Novecentista Prose
A. The Essay: José Ortega y Gasset
José Ortega y Gasset was a prominent figure in Novecentista prose, particularly known for his essays. His work can be categorized into three main groups:
a) Philosophical Essays: Advocating for the importance of philosophy in human life, as exemplified by his famous quote,”I am myself and my circumstance”
b) Political and Sociological Essays: Analyzing the reasons for Spain’s decline and proposing solutions. He identified the main cause as”social disintegratio” stemming from various factors, including national, individual, social class, and the indiscipline of the masses. His proposed solution was a democracy led by a cultured minority.
c) Artistic and Literary Essays: Presenting his ideas on theater (emphasizing the importance of both text and extralinguistic elements), art (advocating for”dehumanized ar” devoid of personal feelings), and the novel (proposing a move away from descriptive realism towards a more analytical and reader-focused approach).B. The Novel
Two main trends emerged in the Novecentista novel:
a) Continuation of Previous Models: Some novelists continued to employ elements of realism.
b) Renewal of the Genre: Others sought to break away from realism, drawing inspiration from Modernism and the Generation of ’98. This led to the emergence of several distinct types of novels:
i. Lyrical Novel (Gabriel Miró): Characterized by highly elaborate prose, minimal action, a focus on formal elements, and an emphasis on description to evoke emotions.
ii. Intellectual Novel (Ramón Pérez de Ayala): Marked by a reduced emphasis on plot, an abundance of ideas and symbols, reflections, multiple perspectives, and narrative simultaneity.
iii. Humorous Novel (Wenceslao Fernández Flórez): Employing humor to criticize society, often using black humor and intellectual critique.
iv. Dehumanized Novel ( Benjamín Jarnés): Characterized by complex and intellectually challenging narratives, minimal plot, an abundance of reflection and meditation, circular structures, and perspectivism.6. Novecentista Poetry: Juan Ramón Jiménez
A. General Characteristics and Poetic Theory
Juan Ramón Jiménez was a key figure in Novecentista poetry. He dedicated his life to poetry and the pursuit of beauty. His poetry is characterized by:
a) Minority Appeal and Hermeticism: His work was often complex and challenging, appealing to a select audience.
b) Constant Creation: He saw poetry as an ongoing process of creation and refinement, striving for”pure poetry”
c) Triple Desire: He believed that poetry should aspire to beauty, knowledge, and eternity.B. Stages
Jiménez’s poetry underwent a continuous process of creation and change throughout his career. His work can be divided into three main phases:
a) Sensitive Phase: This phase encompasses his early poems, marked by influences from Symbolism and themes of loneliness, sadness, and melancholy. His collection Tristes Arias (Sad Arias) is representative of this period.
b) Intellectual Phase: This phase marked a radical shift in his poetry, moving away from Modernist aesthetics and emotions towards a more conceptual and intellectual approach. His poems became shorter, employed free verse, and often featured the city as a recurring motif. The main theme of this phase is the creative process itself, as seen in his collections Diario de un poeta recién casado (Diary of a Newlywed Poet) and Eternidades (Eternities).
c) Adequacy Phase: In this phase, his poetry became increasingly complex and difficult, with a focus on dense content and symbolism. The main theme revolves around the concept of God as an artistic ideal, as explored in his collection Dios deseado y deseante (God Desired and Desiring).
7. The Avant-Garde
World War I had a profound impact on the consciousness of young Europeans, leading to a sense of disillusionment and a desire for radical change. This cultural shift gave rise to the Avant-Garde, a series of artistic movements that rejected traditional forms and embraced experimentation. The Avant-Garde unfolded in two main stages:
a) The 1920s: Characterized by an optimistic and confident outlook.
b) The 1930s: Marked by a growing engagement with social and political struggles.7.1 Characteristics of Avant-Garde Art
The Avant-Garde movements represented a radical departure from the artistic principles of the 19th century. They rejected the idea of art as an imitation of reality and embraced the following characteristics:
a) Anti-Realism and Autonomy of Art: Art was no longer seen as a reflection of reality but as an independent entity with its own rules and logic.
b) Emphasis on the Exceptional and Unusual: Avant-Garde artists sought to shock and challenge conventional tastes.
c) Dissemination through Manifestos and Magazines: Avant-Garde movements often published manifestos outlining their principles and disseminated their ideas through specialized magazines.
d) Rejection of Anecdote and Sentimentality: Avant-Garde art aimed to move beyond personal emotions and narratives.
e) Irrationalism: Avant-Garde artists explored the realm of the unconscious and the irrational.
f) Cult of the Image: The visual image gained prominence as a means of expression.
g) Originality and Experimentation: Avant-Garde artists constantly sought new forms of expression and challenged existing aesthetic norms.
h) Abolition of Traditional Punctuation and Free Verse: Avant-Garde writers experimented with language, often abandoning traditional grammar and syntax.8. European Avant-Garde Movements
Several influential Avant-Garde movements emerged in Europe:
a) Futurism: Founded by Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, Futurism celebrated technology, speed, violence, and the modern world. Its manifesto proclaimed a rejection of the past and an embrace of the future.
b) Cubism: Pioneered by artists like Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, Cubism broke down objects into geometric shapes, offering a new way of seeing and representing reality.
c) Expressionism: Expressionism explored themes of anxiety, fear, and the human condition through distorted figures, intense colors, and emotionally charged imagery.
d) Dada: Dadaism emerged as a reaction to the horrors of World War I. It was characterized by its rejection of logic, reason, and traditional artistic values. Dada artists embraced absurdity, nonsense, and the element of chance.
e) Surrealism: Led by André Breton, Surrealism was influenced by the theories of Sigmund Freud. Surrealist artists sought to explore the unconscious mind through dreamlike imagery, automatic writing, and unexpected juxtapositions.9. Avant-Garde in Spain
The Avant-Garde arrived in Spain in the early 20th century and was shaped by several factors:
a) Ramón Gómez de la Serna: A prolific writer and intellectual, he played a key role in introducing Avant-Garde ideas to Spain. He translated Marinetti’s Futurist Manifesto and published it in his journal Prometeo.
b) Vicente Huidobro and Creationism: Chilean poet Vicente Huidobro’s concept of”Creationis” had a significant influence on Spanish Avant-Garde poetry. Creationism emphasized the poet’s role as a creator of new realities through language.
c) Surrealism: André Breton’s Surrealist Manifesto, published in 1924, found fertile ground in Spain. Poet Juan Larrea was instrumental in promoting Surrealism in Spain.
d) Ultraism: Ultraism was a short-lived but influential Avant-Garde movement in Spain. It advocated for a radical break from traditional poetry, rejecting narrative and emotional elements in favor of a more abstract and experimental approach. Ultraist poets sought to create a pure poetry that transcended reality.
e) Key Characteristics of Spanish Avant-Garde:
i. Image over Reality: Spanish Avant-Garde poets prioritized striking and often illogical imagery over realistic representation.
ii. Typographical Experimentation: They used typography and the visual layout of the poem to create rhythm and meaning.9.1 Ramón Gómez de la Serna
Ramón Gómez de la Serna was a central figure in the Spanish Avant-Garde. He was a prolific writer who explored various genres, including short stories, novels, and essays. His work was characterized by its humor, wit, and fragmentation. He is best known for his”greguerías” short, often humorous aphorisms that offer unexpected and surreal perspectives on everyday objects and situations. Some key techniques he employed in his greguerías include:
a) Metaphors and Comparisons: Creating unexpected connections between disparate objects and ideas.
b) Pseudo-Etymologies, Puns, and Spoonerisms: Playing with language and subverting its conventional meanings.
c) Idioms and Sayings: Using and subverting common expressions to create humorous and thought-provoking effects.