Catalan Literature Under Franco: 1939 to the Late 1970s
Item 1: Sociopolitical Context of Post-Civil War Spain and its Influence on Literary Output
Abstract:
The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), won by Franco’s army, marked the beginning of a fascist dictatorship (1939-1975) that defeated the Second Republic. This regime imposed significant political and social changes, initiating a process of censorship and forced “Espanyolization” of culture, particularly targeting Catalan-speaking regions. The recovery of Catalan political and cultural identity was suppressed.
Catalan narrative literature suffered the consequences of the postwar period. The literary market had to be rebuilt, and contact between authors and readers reestablished. Four distinct narrative trends emerged:
- The psychological novel (1940s-1960s): Focused on a conception of human existence marked by anguish and existential absurdity.
- The realist novel (1960s): Aimed to portray reality and denounce social injustices.
- The fantastic novel (1950s): Recreated reality through imagination and fantasy.
- The experimental novel (1970s): Introduced formal experimentation and diverse themes and narrative procedures.
Item 2: Key Characteristics of Enric Valor’s Literary Work
Abstract:
Enric Valor i Vives (1911-2000) produced one of the most significant bodies of narrative work in the second half of the 20th century. He made substantial contributions to Valencian lexicography, collaborating with Sanchis Guarner, Moll, and Coromines. Coming from a family involved in rural estates and the working class, this background is reflected in his characters. His life was marked by a passion for the land and mountains of Valencia and a profound appreciation for the living language he heard there. His work can be categorized as that of a rondallista (storyteller), novelist, and grammarian.
As a rondallista, he collected thirty-six tales of three types: tales of manners, the wonderful, and animals. These tales are characterized by their Valencian settings, recovery of narrative folklore, and use of new rhetorical techniques. His novels share similar characteristics but more explicitly incorporate his biographical experiences and knowledge of the land. An example is *L’ambició d’Aleix*, but his most important contribution is the *Cassana* cycle of novels. Valor also excelled as a grammarian, with works such as *Millorem la llengua* and *Curs mitjà de gramàtica catalana referida especialment al País Valencià*.
Item 3: Psychological Focus in Mercè Rodoreda’s Literary Production
Abstract:
The novels of Mercè Rodoreda (1908-1982) are characterized by deep psychological character development, primarily focusing on female protagonists. Her narrative style is rich in poetic symbolism. Key features of her innovative 20th-century novels include:
- Renovated narrative techniques
- Complex themes
- Female characters experiencing negative personal crises
- Depiction of the bourgeois world
- Realistic portrayal of psychology and attitudes
Two central themes in Rodoreda’s work are the passage of time and the circumstances surrounding human existence. Her work can be divided into four stages:
- Early years of learning: The author experimented with four different literary environments and wrote novels, notably *Aloma* (a psychological and pessimistic novel), where a teenager confronts love with feelings of rejection and attraction.
- Maturity: The work *Vint-i-dos contes* serves as a bridge with the previous period and reaffirms her maturity in *La plaça del Diamant*.
- Old age: This stage focuses on the theme of death, notably in *Mirall trencat*, which depicts the decline and death of a family universe.
Item 4: Major Poetic Trends from the Spanish Civil War to the Late 1970s
Abstract:
Poetry was the most dynamic and rich literary genre during the Franco dictatorship, enjoying a more secure and stable audience. Authors faced and mitigated the imposed silence and censorship. Poetry followed the traditions of Symbolist and avant-garde poetry, connecting with the metaphysical and religious concerns of the time.
Poetry of the War:
- Symbolist tradition (1940s): Experienced a period of closure, resulting in evasive poetry following post-Symbolist patterns. However, the subject matter shifted to address the anxieties of men at war (e.g., Carles Riba, Josep Carner).
- Avant-garde tradition (1950s): Explored research avenues opened by the avant-garde, especially Surrealism (e.g., Josep Palau i Fabre).
- Realist tradition (1960s-1970s): Shifted towards social realism, exposing reality as a form of denunciation, incorporating the poet’s subjectivity (e.g., Miquel Martí i Pol, Gabriel Ferrater).
Finally, at the beginning of the 1970s, poetry was characterized by the gradual loss of pre-war masters and the emergence of new generations.