20th Century Spanish Literature: Narrative & Theatre
Narrative
Existential Realism (1940s)
This period aimed to convey the feeling of unease and hardship in post-Civil War Spain. Notable works include:
- The Family of Pascual Duarte by Camilo José Cela
- Nothing by Carmen Laforet
- Shadow of the Cypress is Elongated by Miguel Delibes
These works explored the difficult aspects of life, intending to act as a catalyst for change.
Social Realism (1950s)
With an increase in the standard of living and external artistic influences, censorship decreased. This period saw a rise in social realism, with key works such as:
- The Road (1950) by Miguel Delibes
- La Noria (1951) by Luis Romero
- La Colmena by Camilo José Cela
- My Beloved Son Sisi by Miguel Delibes
Themes explored included social and moral values, the plight of peasants and workers, and the struggles of marginalized individuals. Narrative features included collective characters, kaleidoscopic perspectives, and a focus on dialogue and simple language.
Stages of Social Realism:
- 1951-1958: Objectivist and Critical Realism
- El Jarama by Rafael Sánchez Ferlosio
- Between Curtains by Carmen Martín Gaite
- Los Bravos by Jesús Fernández Santos
- 1958-1962: Height of Social Realism
- Objective realism continued with works like The New Gardener by Juan Goytisolo.
- 1962-1968: Critique of Social Realism
- Realism became more dialectical, as seen in Times of Silence by Luis Martín-Santos.
Novel of the 1960s
Influenced by authors like Proust, Kafka, Joyce, and Huxley, this period saw a continuation of social realism but with new narrative forms. Key authors and works include:
- Juan Goytisolo (e.g., Marks of Identity)
- Miguel Delibes (e.g., Parable of a Shipwrecked Man)
Themes included the war, post-war alienation, and the individual’s place in mass society. Formal and magical realism also emerged. Narrative innovations included reduced anecdotes, a focus on individual concerns, use of first and second person narration, interior monologues, flashbacks, and the elimination of traditional chapter divisions.
Narrative of the 1970s
Coinciding with Franco’s death, this period saw a return to subjectivity and intimacy, blending traditional and avant-garde techniques. Notable works include:
- The Truth about the Savolta Case by Eduardo Mendoza
- Soledad is in Puertolas at Night by Juan Goytisolo
- The Sentimental Man by Javier Marías
Theatre
Theatre of the 1940s and 1950s
Following the Civil War, theatre was dominated by traditional trends, including high comedy with authors like Pemán, Luca de Tena, Ruiz Iriarte, and Edgar Neville. Miguel Mihura (Three Top Hats) and Elisa Poncela introduced elements of absurdist humor. A shift towards social realism began with Antonio Buero Vallejo’s A History Ladder (1949) and Alfonso Sastre’s Squadron Towards Death (1953).
Young playwrights emerged, addressing social injustices within the limits of censorship. Themes included rural poverty, student struggles, and the plight of the working class. Playwrights like Lauro Olmo and Alfonso Paso employed realism and farce to depict these realities.
Theatre of the 1960s and Early 1970s
A move away from social realism towards experimental theatre characterized this period. Themes of dictatorship, injustice, and lack of freedom were explored through allegory, farce, and poetic language. Fernando Arrabal (The Tricycle) and Antonio Gala achieved commercial success. Independent theatre groups like Els Joglars and Els Comediants emerged, experimenting with performance styles and engaging with wider audiences.
Theatre After 1975
With the arrival of democracy, theatre experienced a resurgence. Censorship was abolished, and the Ministry of Culture supported public theatre, establishing the National Drama Centre in 1978. An eclectic mix of theatrical trends emerged, with playwrights like José Luis Alonso de Santos (Bajarse al Moro) and José Sanchis Sinisterra (¡Ay, Carmela!) achieving recognition.