Espriu and Estellés: Catalan Poetic Voices
Salvador Espriu: A Mystical and Civic Voice
Early Works and the Myth of Sinera
Salvador Espriu (1913-1985), a Catalan poet, playwright, and novelist, worked as a clerk, mirroring the lives of Kafka and Pessoa. His early work, marked by intellectualism and a caustic descriptivism, showcases a unique linguistic richness and thematic complexity. In his first book, Cemetery of Sinera (1946), Espriu evokes a world destroyed by war, identified with the mythical Sinera (Arenys de Mar).
The Lyrical Cycle and Mystical Exploration
His following four books (The Hour and Mrs. Death in 1952; The Foot and the Wall in 1954; and Ending the Maze in 1955) form a lyrical cycle. This cycle traces a path towards the mystical experience of Ending the Maze, reflecting Espriu’s adherence to negative theology, where God is understood through a blind respect for humanity.
The Skin of the Bull and Civic Discourse
The Skin of the Bull (1960), Espriu’s most resonant work, shifts from metaphysical poetry to a realistic style. Its epic and didactic tone felt modern, despite the vagueness of his social discourse, which focused on freedom, justice, and tolerance. This book explores themes of diversity and tolerance through symbols, satire, elegy, and epic elements. It gained civic significance due to the sociopolitical climate of Catalan society and Espriu’s focus on Sefarad (Jewish Spain), which established him as a prominent voice.
Musical Influence and Legacy
The popularity of Espriu’s work was further amplified by Raimon’s musical settings of his poems in Songs from the Wheel of Time (1966). This contributed to the moral, patriotic, and nationalistic interpretations of his work within Catalan society.
Vicent Andrés Estellés: A Chronicler of Valencian Life
Postwar Poetry and the Valencian Voice
Vicent Andrés Estellés (1924-1993), a Valencian poet, gained recognition in the 1970s. Writing from the literary periphery of Valencia, he belonged to the “Group of Postwar Poetry” (1943-1960). His prolific, original, and exuberant poetry reflects a passionate portrayal of everyday life, exploring themes of love, death, sex, fear, the city, the countryside, and women.
Civic Consciousness and the Valencian Identity
Estellés’s lyrical work combines tonal and thematic variety with a strong sense of civic consciousness. He presents himself as a voice of the people, championing personal dignity and civil values. His concept of homeland is not empty rhetoric, but rather the drama of a language group, the tragedy of a culture, and the pain of a country oppressed by a dark regime.
Chronicling Everyday Life and Valencian Culture
Estellés acted as a passionate chronicler during the postwar era, documenting the characters and events of his world through a personal poetic lens. With tenderness, anger, sarcasm, and love, he expresses the glory and misery of Valencia and its people, creating a poignant and hopeful discourse.
Literary Influences and Language
Estellés’s literary language draws from three main sources:
- The poetic language of 15th-century Valencian classics, particularly Ausiàs March.
- Contemporary Catalan/Valencian literature, especially 20th-century poets.
- The colloquial language of his childhood in Horta.
Themes of Death, Love, and Sexuality
Death is a recurring theme in Estellés’s poetry, representing a tangible reality rather than a metaphysical abstraction. He also explores the theme of love with obsessive intensity, expressing a diverse range of feelings from raw sexuality to sophisticated expressions of desire. His open treatment of sex was unusual for Valencian and Catalan poetry of his time.
Poetic Style and Rhetoric
Estellés’s poetry is characterized by a distinct style and rhetoric, evident in his use of adjectives, metaphors, imagery, and unconventional meters. He also parodies classical traditions and Renaissance Valencian themes. His lucid language, expressive form, and passionate delivery connect him to the tradition of popular poets.