Angel Gonzalez and Spanish Poetry After the War
The post-war period following the two World Wars deeply impacted art and thought, leading to a sense of pessimism. Spain faced economic hardship, cultural assimilation, censorship, the promotion of Catholic culture, and exile for many, including writers like Alberti (or death for Lorca). Many writers left Spain, impacting its literature, though the situation improved in the 1950s. In the 1940s, early works showed discontent, but were not overtly critical. The 1950s saw a loosening of censorship.
The 1940s: Miguel Hernandez
Miguel Hernandez, a poet of personalism with a political accent, worked as a Republican combatant. His important work, Viento del Pueblo (Wind Village), includes songs and ballads of absences, rooted in poetry. He wrote in the journals Garcilaso and Escorial. He developed a direct and torn language. Dámaso Alonso’s poetry, with Hijos de la Ira (Children of Wrath), embodies this era. Other authors include José Cely, but especially Blas de Otero.
The 1950s: Social Poetry
The uprooted poetry of the 1950s gave way to social poetry by authors such as Blas de Otero (Y pido la paz y la palabra – I Ask for Peace and the Word) and Celaya (Cantos Iberos – Iberian Songs).
Angel Gonzalez: A Poet of the Mid-Century Generation
Angel Gonzalez, born in Oviedo into a middle-class family, experienced the loss of his father when he was 18 and the death of his brother. His poetry developed in the mid-20th century, placing him within the Generation of ’50. Like others of this generation, he grappled with the problem of time, reflecting on metaphysical worries about language. Gonzalez began publishing in journals and became a significant voice of his generation, known for his combative civilian stance.
His poems are not widespread, featuring simple expression, few rhetorical devices, little variety of tenses, and reliance on semantic repetitions. His first book was Áspero Mundo (Harsh World). His poetry is characterized by experience, anti-rhetoricism, everyday life issues, memories, irony, humor, and a prosaic, colloquial tone.
Two Stages of Poetry
- First Stage: Sin Esperanza, Con Convencimiento (Without Hope, With Conviction), turning to testimonial poetry. Palabra Sobre Palabra (Word on Word).
- Second Stage: Via anti-poetic, with prosaic intention and skeptical tone, using narrative procedures. Other books include Muerte en el Olvido (Death in Oblivion) and Otros poemas (Other Poems).