20th Century Spanish Literature: War, Exile, and Renewal
1. The Spanish Civil War and its Impact on Culture
The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) marked a significant rupture in the evolution of Spanish culture and its relationship with European trends. The war’s aftermath led to a period of cultural and political isolation, characterized by strict censorship and limited exposure to outside influences.
Impact on the Generation of ’27:
- The Generation of ’27, a group of influential poets and writers, was deeply affected by the war.
- Federico García Lorca was tragically executed. Others, like Salinas, Cernuda, Guillén, and Alberti, were forced into exile.
- Those who remained in Spain, such as Aleixandre and Dámaso Alonso, became prominent literary figures.
- Juan Ramón Jiménez, a Nobel laureate, continued to be a literary model, but his aesthetic influence waned as new forms emerged.
Other Consequences:
- Limited literary production led to an increase in translations of uncontroversial foreign authors.
- The war’s atmosphere gave rise to escapist literature and themes centered on conflict.
- In the 1950s, socioeconomic changes and Spain’s entry into the UN signaled a gradual opening of the Franco regime. Migration from rural areas to cities resulted in the emergence of new literary trends.
2. Literature in Exile
Spanish writers in exile grappled with themes of nostalgia for their homeland and the disillusionment caused by the Republican defeat.
Narrative:
- Exiled narrators formed a diverse group, blending the pain of war and loss with realism, pre-war novelistic techniques, and avant-garde experimentation.
- Ramón J. Sender: Known for his classic style, his notable work includes Requiem for a Spanish Peasant (1960).
- Max Aub: Creator of The Magic Labyrinth, a series of novels centered on the Civil War.
- Rosa Chacel: An innovative and avant-garde novelist, her prominent work is The Unreason (1960).
- Francisco Ayala: Known for his technical and aesthetic precision, his best-known work is The Usurpers (1949).
Poetry:
- Many exiled poets belonged to the Generation of ’27, including Juan Ramón Jiménez, who lived in exile until his death.
- Common themes included the shattered harmony caused by war, the passage of time, and death.
- Notable poets include José Moreno Villa and León Felipe.
Theatre:
- In addition to the Generation of ’27 playwrights, exiled Spanish dramatists in the Americas gained prominence.
- Alejandro Casona and Max Aub are notable figures in this context.
3. Postwar Spanish Narrative
The Civil War created a deep chasm in Spanish literature. Earlier traditions were disrupted, and experimental trends emerged. The influence of pre-war authors like Unamuno, Valle-Inclán, and even the Noucentista movement diminished.
3.1 The 1940s: Sensationalist Realism
The 1940s were marked by the war’s consequences. While some writers focused on triumphant narratives or escapism, others explored themes of anguish and despair, as seen in the poetry of Blas de Otero and novels like Camilo José Cela’s The Family of Pascual Duarte.
Tremendismo:
- Cela’s The Family of Pascual Duarte introduced a new trend called tremendismo (from the Spanish word “tremendo,” meaning “terrible” or “shocking”).
- This style presented a stark and brutal depiction of reality, often focusing on unpleasant and even repulsive aspects of life.
- Tremendismo gained popularity and was widely imitated by other writers.
Revival of the Novel:
- Despite the challenging circumstances, the novel genre gradually revived with authors like Camilo José Cela and Carmen Laforet.
- Readership grew, and literary contests were established.
4. The Generation of ’27
The Generation of ’27, which included prominent figures like Vicente Aleixandre, Federico García Lorca, Rafael Alberti, and others, played a pivotal role in shaping 20th-century Spanish literature.
Characteristics:
- Shared Background: Born between 1891 and 1905, they had similar intellectual formations, many were academics, and some became teachers. Most attended the Residencia de Estudiantes, an institution influenced by progressive educational ideals.
- Generational Unity: They were united by shared experiences and a desire to renew poetic language.
- No Single Leader: While some consider Juan Ramón Jiménez an influential figure, the group lacked a singular leader.
- Respect for Tradition: They maintained a strong connection with Spanish literary tradition and admired earlier generations.
- Aesthetic Affinities: They sought a balance between various trends, including:
- Feelings and reason
- Intellectual and emotional approaches to poetry
- Art for both minorities and the masses
- Clarity and complexity
- Spanish and universal themes
- Cultured and popular elements
- Influences: They drew inspiration from various sources, including:
- Avant-garde movements, particularly Cubism
- Symbolism and the poetry of Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer
- Classical Spanish literature (e.g., Jorge Manrique, Garcilaso de la Vega)
Stages of Evolution:
- Up to 1927: Marked by the influence of Bécquer, Modernism, avant-garde movements (especially Cubism), and Neopopularism. A focus on formal perfection led to a neoclassical phase.
- From 1927 to the Civil War: A shift towards rehumanization and early Surrealism. New themes emerged, including love, desire, frustration, and social and existential concerns. Some poets became politically engaged, primarily in support of the Republic.
- Post-Civil War: The group was fractured by the war. Lorca’s death and the exile of several members led to a dispersal of the movement. Those who remained in Spain, like Gerardo Diego, Dámaso Alonso, and Vicente Aleixandre, explored themes of existential anguish and the impact of the war.