Catalan Literature: Overview of Major Authors and Works
Catalan Literature: An Overview
Llorenç Villalonga (1897-1980)
Born in Majorca, Villalonga’s literature, rooted in psychological novels, draws heavily from his Mallorcan upbringing. His works often feature prominent female characters and explore themes of aristocracy and social satire.
Novel
- Death of Woman (1931): A pivotal work in Catalan literature, this novel offers an innovative narrative about the decline of the Mallorcan aristocracy. It satirizes the nobility and critiques both Chuetas and Catalan nationalist writers.
- Bearn or The Sale of the Dolls (1956 in Spanish, 1961 in Catalan): Written during a period when Villalonga focused solely on Catalan, this semi-autobiographical novel presents an ambiguous narrative divided into two parts: the first depicting a time of debauchery and the second a state of tranquility.
Short Stories
- The Lladoner of the Courtyard (1958): Influenced by Proust.
- And Out of Mallorca (1966).
Theater
Villalonga’s theatrical works largely consist of adaptations of his narrative texts, featuring recurring symbols, myths, and characters. Notable is his series of fifteen short plays, Smash! 965, which exhibit elements of the theater of the absurd and the grotesque.
Pere Calders (1912-1994)
Born in Barcelona, Calders’s life and literary career were significantly impacted by the Spanish Civil War. His exile in Mexico and subsequent return to Catalonia shaped his writing, which was influenced by the cultural environment of the 1930s, including Noucentisme and avant-garde movements.
Early Works
- First Harlequin (1936): A collection of short stories.
- Doctor of Glory (1936): A novella.
- Units of Game (1938): A chronicle of the war.
Exile and Later Works
During his 23-year exile in Mexico, Calders worked in publishing and continued to write prolifically, particularly short stories. Chronicles of Hidden Truth (1955), a collection of these stories, won the first Victor Català prize and established Calders as a significant voice in Catalan literature of the 1950s. His stories often depict everyday routines disrupted by seemingly extraordinary events, revealing the true nature of characters and situations. Calders’s use of colloquial language contributes to the humorous effect of his work, which ultimately reflects on the various ways reality can be represented.
Josep Pla (1897-1981)
Born in Palafrugell to a family of small landowners, Pla studied law but dedicated his life to journalism and literature. His extensive body of work (44 volumes) reflects his Noucentiste background and his commitment to representing the real world through literature.
Literary Conception
Pla’s writing is grounded in his life experiences and observations of his time. He prioritized the informative function of literature, evident in his clear and accessible prose style. His work can be seen as a vast diary or memoir, encompassing various genres:
- Diaries and Memoirs: Gray Notebook, Break…
- Biographies and Stories: Notes on Royalty, Homenots…
- Travel Guides: The Islands, The Americas…
- Narratives: Life in Hiding, Trials: Farmers…
Pla’s writing seamlessly blends descriptions of the external world with autobiographical elements, allowing him to combine and experiment with different genres. His focus on landscape and the lives of ordinary people contributed to a rich and diverse literary output.
Salvador Espriu (1913-1985)
Espriu’s work spans various genres, including narrative prose, poetry, and theater. His writing is characterized by a keen observation of the world and a sense of elegy for lost time. Espriu constructs a unique literary universe drawing from childhood memories and diverse mythologies, including Greek, Egyptian, and Hebrew.
Key Themes and Symbols
- Sinera: Represents the lost paradise of childhood.
- Lavinia: Barcelona in poetry, Sepharad in prose.
- Konilòsia: Spain.
- Alfaranja: The Catalan Countries.
The Spanish Civil War and its political and social consequences profoundly impacted Espriu’s life and work. The collapse of the Catalan world under Franco’s regime instilled a sense of nostalgia and pessimism in his writing, particularly evident in The Skin of a Bull. Espriu also employs the technique of theater within the theater and explores themes of death and resurrection.
Carles Riba (1893-1959)
Riba was a prominent figure in 20th-century Catalan literature, renowned for his poetry, translations, and literary criticism. His studies in law and literature, coupled with his deep interest in classical literature, shaped his literary vocation. Riba’s involvement with the Institute of Catalan Studies and his teaching career further solidified his influence on Catalan intellectual life.
Poetic Works
Riba’s poetry explores themes of love, often incorporating classical and Anglo-Germanic cultural references. His poetic style evolved over time, from the Noucentisme influence in his early work to a more personal and introspective approach in later collections.
- First Stay (1919): Exhibits characteristics of Noucentisme poetry, with a focus on song-like poems and the enduring nature of love experiences.
- Second Stay (1930): Marks a shift towards pure poetry and a more personal expression.
- Three Suites (1937): Culmination of Riba’s exploration of pure poetry.
- Bierville Elegies (1943): A pivotal work written during his exile in France, exploring themes of exile, return, death, and resurrection, with a focus on the spiritual dimension of religion.
- Gambling and Fire (1946): Two collections of short poems.
- Wild Heart (1952): Religious themes.
- Outline for Three Oratorios (1957): Inspired by evangelical episodes.
Riba’s mastery of the Tanka, a Japanese poetic form, further demonstrates his versatility and skill as a poet. His contributions to Catalan literature as a poet, translator, and critic cemented his legacy as a leading figure in the Catalan literary landscape.