Catalan Literature: From Romanticism to Modernism
Catalan Literature: A Journey Through Time
Jacint Verdaguer: The Romantic Voice of Catalonia
Jacint Verdaguer (1845-1902), a prominent figure in Catalan literature, is considered the great lyric poet of the nineteenth century. Born in Folgueroles in the Osona region, he dedicated ten years to studying the classics and began his poetic journey. In 1865, he was honored at the Floral Games. Ordained as a priest, he served as a chaplain on a ship for two years before leaving to work for the Marquis de Comillas. Around the age of 40, he experienced a religious crisis, leading to a separation from the Marquis. Verdaguer’s life ended in 1902 due to tuberculosis. His funeral was a testament to his popularity, as he was deeply loved by the people.
As a Romantic writer, Verdaguer viewed poetry as the expression of feelings and emotions. His artistic creations revolved around major themes such as fatherland, faith, and nature. What set him apart from other authors was his intuitive grasp of language, rooted in his knowledge of popular literature (owing to his humble origins) and his assimilation of classical culture through extensive studies. Verdaguer’s writing is characterized by the use of numerous adjectives and hyperbole to amplify the impact of his words. Space holds significant importance in his works, serving as a symbolic element.
Verdaguer’s literary contributions spanned various genres:
- Epic: Two notable poems, Canigó and L’Atlàntida.
- Lyric: Works centered on religious themes.
- Prose: Travel books and folk tales, written partly to counter accusations of subjectivity.
Josep Carner: A Leading Figure of Noucentisme
Josep Carner (Barcelona 1884 – Brussels 1970), a prominent writer of the Noucentisme movement, excelled in poetry and literary criticism, using his writings to disseminate the aesthetic ideals of the twentieth century. He served as the editor of “La Veu de Catalunya” and directed several magazines. Carner collaborated with Pompeu Fabra in his language purification efforts. In his verse, particularly in 1919, he expressed unionist and socialist views in some of his articles. During the Spanish Civil War, he remained loyal to the Republic and lived in exile in Brussels.
Carner’s notable works include “El llibre dels poetes” (The Book of Poets), which reveals the influence of modernist irony. He also authored “Primer llibre de sonets” (First Book of Sonnets), “Segon llibre de sonets” (Second Book of Sonnets), “Els fruits saborosos” (Delicious Fruits), “Les monjoies” (The Nuns), and other poems. He influenced poets such as Jaume Bofill i Mates and Josep Maria López-Picó.
Mercedes Rodoreda: The Master of Catalan Storytelling
Mercedes Rodoreda is widely regarded as the finest storyteller in contemporary Catalan literature. Born in Barcelona, she resided there until 1939, when she went into exile in France and Switzerland. Throughout her life, she contributed to magazines and newspapers and authored several novels, the most significant being Mirall trencat (Broken Mirror), La plaça del Diamant (The Time of the Doves), and Aloma.
Rodoreda’s works are characterized by:
- An exploration of the inner world of her characters and their perspectives on the surrounding reality.
- Female protagonists who navigate relationships and the passage of time.
- The use of symbolic elements such as jewelry, mirrors, and pigeons.
Joaquim Amat-Piniella: Bearing Witness to the Horrors of War
Joaquim Amat-Piniella, born in Manresa, was a writer known for his realist novels, short stories, and poetry. During the Second Spanish Republic, he worked in newspapers and magazines and engaged in political activities. In the Spanish Civil War, he fought on the Republican side and was subsequently exiled to French concentration camps, eventually ending up in Mauthausen, a Nazi extermination camp. This harrowing experience inspired his novel K. L. Reich, written in 1945 in Andorra. The novel recounts the ordeal of a Catalan deported to the camp and serves as a poignant testament to the horrors of war and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable suffering.
Modernism: A Cultural and Artistic Movement
Modernism, a prevalent movement in Europe from the late nineteenth to the early twentieth century, also left its mark on Catalan literature. Young Catalan modernists advocated for a national culture, transcending regionalism and reacting against the Renaixença (Catalan Renaissance). Modernism encompassed two main trends:
- Regenerationism: A movement that sought to regenerate society through social and political reforms. Jaume Brossa was a prominent representative.
- Aestheticism: Aimed to transform society through the power of art. Santiago Rusiñol was a key figure in this trend.
Catalan Modernism unfolded in two stages:
- 1892-1900: Modernists expressed their ideas in four journals: L’Avenç, Catalunya, Els Quatre Gats, and Pèl & Ploma. This was a combative phase.
- 1900-1911: Modernism gained acceptance among the Catalan bourgeoisie, becoming a significant ideological and literary period.
Catalan Modernist Novel
The Catalan Modernist novel emerged with Raimon Casellas’s Els sots feréstecs (The Wild Pits) in 1901 and concluded with Prudenci Bertrana’s Josafat in 1906 and Joaquim Ruyra’s Jacobé in 1918. These novels often feature protagonists who are isolated from society.
Catalan Modernist Theater
Catalan Modernist theater was influenced by the anti-realist style of Maurice Maeterlinck, a trend that also held prominence in poetry and aimed to reflect moods and emotions. Another influential figure was Henrik Ibsen, whose socially conscious plays inspired a theater of social critique, where individuals confront societal norms.
The Mallorcan School: A Blend of Classicism and Folk Tradition
The Mallorcan School, admired by the Noucentistes for its refined language and local focus, was primarily represented by Miquel Costa i Llobera and Joan Alcover. It was characterized by its embrace of classical forms and its integration of folk traditions.
Tomàs Garcés: Symbolism and Popular Inspiration
Tomàs Garcés (1901-1993), a lawyer, poet, translator, and literary critic, contributed to numerous newspapers and magazines from 1919 onwards. During the Franco dictatorship, he continued to participate in cultural activities. His extensive poetic work drew inspiration from symbolism and pure poetry, but with a more intellectual approach, similar to Carles Riba. Garcés also incorporated elements from popular sources. His poetry is marked by meticulous attention to form and profound lyricism, exploring classical themes such as nature, melancholy, longing, and the transience of life. His first collection, which brought him recognition, was Vint cançons (Twenty Songs).
Carles Riba: A Pillar of Catalan Intellectual and Literary Life
Carles Riba (1893-1959) was a central figure in the intellectual, literary, and political landscape of twentieth-century Catalonia. A professor, poet, translator, critic, and prose writer, he excelled in all these fields. Loyal to the Republic, he was forced into exile after the Spanish Civil War but returned in 1943. Back in Catalonia, he remained steadfast in his national and political principles, despite the challenging circumstances. Riba played a crucial role in the intellectual and artistic life of the period and became a revered mentor for subsequent generations of writers.
As a poet, Riba aligned with the post-symbolist movement, which evolved into pure poetry. His work is characterized by formal perfection. His most important collections include Primer llibre d’Estances (First Book of Stays), Segon llibre d’Estances (Second Book of Stays), Elegies de Bierville (Elegies of Bierville), and Salvatge cor (Savage Heart).
Pere Calders: Simplicity and Diverse Themes in Storytelling
Pere Calders, born in Barcelona, was a graduate of Fine Arts who quickly gained recognition as a writer. He worked in newspapers and magazines but fled to Mexico during the Franco dictatorship, returning only after 1960. He is best known for his short stories and novellas, which explored a wide range of themes and employed a simple and accessible language.