Generation of ’27: A Poetic Legacy

Posted on Oct 9, 2024 in Latin

1. Introduction

The 1920s witnessed the emergence of a group of extraordinary poets who significantly impacted 20th-century Spanish and Latin American poetry. This group, known as the “Generation of ’27,” gathered in 1927 to pay tribute to Luis de Góngora, marking the third centenary of his death. Most of these writers maintained close personal and literary relationships. The poetry of the 1920s was influenced by prominent figures such as Ramón Gómez de la Serna, whose literary creations inspired them; Juan Ramón Jiménez, who served as a guide and promoter of the new literature; and José Ortega y Gasset, whose ideological views resonated with the new aesthetic.

2. Aesthetic Evolution

The poetry of this era is characterized by a synthesis of tradition and innovation, encompassing a diversity of aesthetic trends:

  • Avant-garde Poetry: Ultraism and Creationism.
  • Pure Poetry: Poets sought objective representation of the world, rejecting sentimentality and anecdotes.
  • Neo-popularism: This style created lyrical poetry influenced by traditional forms, conversational tone, and the use of refrains.
  • Surrealism: This movement employed various formal resources, including social critique, challenging conventions, and advocating freedom of expression.

Stages: The poetic works of the Generation of ’27 can be divided into three stages:

  1. A period marked by a rich variety of trends.
  2. The influence of Surrealism, leading to the emergence of “impure” poetry.
  3. Due to the Spanish Civil War and subsequent exile, each poet embarked on a unique personal path.

3. Poetic Language

The Generation of ’27 poets are distinguished by their pursuit of innovation and originality. They frequently employed metaphors and imagery, while also reviving classical genres such as eclogues and odes, as well as the traditional romance. Free verse was cultivated by all.

4. Major Authors and Works

4.1. Pedro Salinas

Born in Madrid, Pedro Salinas was a professor at the University of Seville. During the Spanish Civil War, he went into exile in the United States. His poetic evolution can be divided into three stages:

  1. Early works like “Presagios” and “Seguro azar,” influenced by the avant-garde, showcasing a modern perspective and humor.
  2. A focus on love poetry, with works like “La voz a ti debida” and “Razón de amor,” demonstrating originality and literary quality.
  3. Poetry of exile, including “Todo más claro y otros poemas,” revealing a desire for transcendence and reflection on life’s complexities, often contemplating the sea.

Salinas is known for his simple and sober style, using the accumulation of nouns and an ongoing dialogue with the reader. Metaphors and imagery are prominent, along with frequent use of octosyllabic verse and free verse.

4.2. Jorge Guillén

Jorge Guillén, winner of the Cervantes Prize, is best known for “Cántico,” a book expanded through four editions. It emphasizes the wholeness of being and the joy of existence. Other notable works include “Clamor” and “Homenaje.” In “Clamor,” he continues to exalt the beauty of the world, while also addressing negative themes like war and disorder. Guillén’s collected works are published under the title “Aire nuestro,” which includes the four versions of “Cántico,” the three parts of “Clamor,” and “Homenaje.”

4.3. Gerardo Diego

Gerardo Diego, a Professor of Language and Cervantes Prize recipient, divided his poetry into two categories: Absolute Poetry and Relative Poetry. In Absolute Poetry, influenced by Ultraism and Creationism, works like “Imagen” and “Manual de espumas” showcase his experimental approach and playful use of language. In Relative Poetry, he combines classicism and avant-garde, exploring themes of love, landscape, and music. He experimented with removing punctuation, using classical forms, free verse, and inventing new forms.

4.4. Vicente Aleixandre

Nobel laureate Vicente Aleixandre’s poetic evolution comprises three phases:

  1. Pure poetry, with poems and prose exploring nature, love, eroticism, and death. “Destrucción o amor” exemplifies the complete fusion with love.
  2. A shift towards themes of time and solidarity, represented by “Historia del corazón.”
  3. A focus on old age, with “Diálogos del conocimiento.”

Aleixandre’s style is characterized by the use of the conjunction “or” and negations. He predominantly uses free verse.

4.5. Rafael Alberti

Born in Cádiz, Rafael Alberti later moved to Madrid and won the National Prize for Literature for “Marinero en tierra.” His poetic development includes:

  1. Neo-popularism, with “Marinero en tierra” focusing on the sea.
  2. Baroque or artistic style, exemplified by “Cal y canto.”
  3. Surrealism, with “Sobre los ángeles,” expressing anguish and desolation.
  4. Social and political poetry.
  5. Poetry of exile, marked by nostalgia for his homeland, Cádiz.

Alberti uses both traditional and popular forms, as well as free verse.

4.6. Luis Cernuda

Luis Cernuda’s poetry is considered a spiritual autobiography, drawing on personal experiences and reflections. Themes of love, the passage of time, and oblivion are central to his work. His poetic trajectory includes:

  1. Pure poetry, as seen in “Perfil del aire.”
  2. Romantic influence, with “Un río, un amor.”
  3. Exile, with “Como quien espera el alba,” expressing nostalgia and longing.

Cernuda’s poetry is characterized by simple expression, using a style close to spoken language and free verse.

5. Federico García Lorca

5.1. Poetic Evolution and General Features

Lorca’s poetic evolution includes:

  1. Traditional features combined with modern elements, as in “Romancero gitano.”
  2. Surrealist influences, exemplified by “Poeta en Nueva York.”
  3. A convergence of various trends, as seen in “Seis poemas gallegos.”

His work is characterized by imagination and fantasy, blending literary tradition with modern elements.

5.2. Main Themes and Symbols

Recurring themes and symbols in Lorca’s work include love, eroticism, frustration, death, and marginalized victims of power. The moon symbolizes death, life, or love; water represents eroticism; blood signifies suffering; and metals are associated with destruction.

5.3. Significant Works

“Romancero gitano” is a collection of ballads featuring Gypsies persecuted by the Civil Guard, exploring themes of violence and death. “Poeta en Nueva York” focuses on the 1929 crisis, symbolizing materialism and degradation, alongside poetic expressions of pain.