Catalan Literature Post-Civil War to 1970s: Poets & Trends
Quim Monzó: Short Stories Reflecting Contemporary Society
Quim Monzó, a prominent figure in Catalan literature, is known for his unique style of storytelling infused with humor and irony. His works offer a pessimistic allegory of modern society, portrayed through an urban setting. Key characteristics of his writing include:
- Urban Atmosphere: Not a specific city, but an abstract urban landscape reflecting contemporary life.
- Anonymous Characters: Defined by obsessions that hinder their ability to connect with others.
- Humor and Irony: Exposing the absurdity of modern habits, behaviors, and clichés.
- Absurd and Fantastical Elements: Distorting reality to offer a fresh perspective.
Monzó’s stories often lack a traditional plot structure, focusing on a basic idea that is exaggerated to a surprising and often absurd conclusion. His themes revolve around daily life, with a particular focus on emotional conflicts and the loneliness of individuals and couples.
Post-War Poetry (1939-1970s): Trends and Poets
Poetry became the most important genre of the post-war period, symbolizing cultural and linguistic resistance. Several generations of poets contributed to this era:
- Established Poets (Pre-Civil War): Carles Riba, J.V. Foix, Carles Salvador
- Emerging Poets (1930s): Pere Quart, Joan Vinyoli
- Post-War Poets: Xavier Casp, Gabriel Ferrater, Joan Brossa
Key poetic movements of this period include:
- Post-Symbolist Poetry: Characterized by formal perfection and themes of death, exile, and personal destiny, expressed through symbols and myths.
- Avant-Garde and Experimental Poetry: Focused on formal experimentation, often combining language with images (e.g., J.V. Foix, Joan Brossa).
- Realistic Poetry (Late 1950s): Rooted in historical reality, expressing collective feelings, denouncing social injustice, and using simple language for direct communication.
- Salvador Espriu’s Poetry: Notable for its thematic depth, civic commitment, and exploration of death and the passage of time.
Vicent Andrés Estellés: Contributions to Poetry
Estellés, a leading figure in contemporary Valencian poetry, is known for his focus on everyday life, death, love, and patriotism. His poetic language draws from classical influences (especially Ausiàs March), 20th-century Catalan literature, and everyday speech. Key features of his style include:
- Colloquial Language: Using everyday speech, including colloquialisms and idioms, for accessibility and authenticity.
- Ausiàs March-influenced Comparisons: Relating abstract ideas to everyday objects.
- Double Adjectives: Using double qualification, often with the noun placed between the adjectives, creating a slow pace.
- Word and Phrase Repetition:
- Varied Meter:
- Confessional Poetry: Frequent use of the first person, representing the voice of his people.
- Dialogue: Addressing friends, lovers, and the deceased.
Notable works include City in your ear, Night, The Book of Wonders, The key that opens all locks.
Salvador Espriu: Key Features of his Poetic Production
Espriu’s poetry is crucial for understanding modern Catalan literature. He used poetry to circumvent censorship. His work is a meditation on death and time, viewing death as the ultimate reality. His style is precise and austere, revolving around elegiac, satirical, and didactic themes. Key elements include:
- Recurring Myths: Sinera (Barcelona/Catalonia) and Kolinòsia/Cambria (Spain).
- Cemetery of Sinera (1946): An elegy for a world destroyed by war.
- Songs and Ariadne: Exploring anguish and loneliness.
- The Skin of the Brave: Espriu’s most public work, denouncing injustices in post-Civil War Spain.
Espriu’s civic poetry, often set to music by Raimon, had a significant impact.