Analysis of Valencian Poetry
The Franco Regime and its Impact on Valencian Culture
The consolidation of the Franco regime led to an unprecedented retraction of the normalization process that had begun in early 20th century Valencia. This repression had two facets:
1. Ideological and Political Repression
Basic democratic freedoms, human rights, and national fundamentals were denied. Any language other than Castilian Spanish was prohibited. The Franco regime attempted to reduce the use of the Valencian language, confining it exclusively to the family sphere. However, from 1945/1946, certain cultural expressions in Valencian began to be authorized, such as the traditional Christmas plays known as Pastorets.
2. Physical Repression
Following the Civil War, arrests and executions were carried out. Notably, on May 4, 1941, the Rector of Valencia, Pere Joan Baptista, was executed. This event was later documented in a 1979 book by Viandres. Executions continued until 1939/1956. In the 1950s, entities promoting Valencian culture began to emerge, led by figures like Carles Salvador. At the Faculty of Philology, scholars like Joan Fuster, Manuel Sanchis Guarner, and Vicent Ventura studied Catalan language and literature, which had been damaged during the Franco era.
Joan Fuster and the Valencian Identity
In 1962, Joan Fuster published “Nosaltres, els valencians” (We, the Valencians), a seminal work that offered a socio-political vision of Valencia. The newspaper Las Provincias, under the direction of José Ombuena, adopted an anti-Catalan stance. After Franco’s death, the Democratic Union of the Valencian Country (UCD) was formed. The Valencian Action Group (GAV) emerged as a strongly anti-Catalan organization.
Vicente Andrés Estellés: A Poetic Voice of Valencia
Vicente Andrés Estellés (Burjassot, 1929 – Valencia, 1993) was a prominent Valencian poet. Joan Fuster considered him to be the best Valencian poet since Ausiàs March and Jaume Roig. Estellés was largely self-taught. He moved to Madrid to study journalism and published some poems in Castilian Spanish in magazines. He returned to Valencia in 1948 and began working for Las Provincias. His personal life was marked by the tragic death of his daughter Isabel in 1956. In 1978, he received the Premi d’Honor de les Lletres Catalanes. Estellés’s poetry reflects his working-class background and the diverse experiences of his life.
Estellés’s Poetic Work: Four Main Themes
- Civil Poetry: This type of poetry is characterized by its historical and geographical focus, often incorporating political denunciation. Estellés aimed to define the Valencian community, emphasizing its cultural unity and connection to the Catalan language. This theme is particularly prevalent in his poems from the war and postwar periods.
- Everyday Poetry: These poems depict daily events related to children, family, and professional life. Estellés transformed everyday experiences into poetic reflections, using a direct and colloquial language to mirror the reality of ordinary people.
- Existential Poetry (1950s-1970s): This period saw a shift towards more intimate and personal themes, exploring the poet’s reflections on death, love, and other major life issues. Estellés addressed both individual and collective anxieties, often employing a rational and even humorous tone to cope with the harsh realities of life.
- Imaginative Poetry: In this later phase, Estellés’s poetry becomes more playful and imaginative, incorporating elements of children’s songs and games. These poems reflect a sense of wonder and joy in the simple aspects of life.
Formal Aspects of Estellés’s Poetry
- Verse Forms: Estellés primarily used masculine rhyme and octosyllabic verse. He also experimented with other forms, such as hendecasyllabic and alexandrine verse.
- Language: His language is characterized by its directness, colloquialism, and use of Valencian dialectal features.
Analysis of “Èglogues”
Traditionally, eclogues are poems that depict idyllic rural settings and conversations between shepherds. However, Estellés subverts this convention in his poem “Èglogues.” The poem is set in a modern office environment, featuring two female secretaries who express their love for each other. This unexpected setting creates an ironic and humorous effect. The poem incorporates French phrases, reflecting the influence of French culture, as well as some Latin and English words. The repetition of phrases like “Ma petite…” and “Je t’aime” emphasizes the characters’ feelings of love. The poem also employs alliteration, particularly of the /s/ sound, to create a sense of intensity and sensuality.
Analysis of “Lullaby”
“Lullaby” is a poem from Estellés’s book “The Night” (1953-1956). It was written after the death of his infant daughter and expresses his grief and longing for her. The poem is characterized by a nostalgic tone and a sense of loss. The alliteration of /m/ evokes a feeling of sadness and mourning. The frequent pauses and breaks in the poem create a slow and melancholic rhythm. In the second part of the poem, the alliteration of /r/ adds a sense of intensity. The poem’s vocabulary is simple and colloquial, but it also incorporates some learned terms. The repetition of the phrase “I have a little death” at the beginning of the first three stanzas creates a powerful anaphora that emphasizes the pervasiveness of grief. The poem uses a combination of heptasyllabic and octosyllabic verses with assonance rhyme.