Generation of ’27: A Poetic Renaissance

Posted on Oct 24, 2024 in Latin

Generation of ’27

Overview

The Generation of ’27 refers to a group of Spanish poets active in the 1920s and 30s. Sharing aesthetic principles and often publishing in the same journals—like the Journal of the West and The Literary Gazette—they gathered at the University of Seville to commemorate the tercentenary of Góngora’s death.

Key Characteristics

This group demonstrated a unique blend of tradition and innovation:

  • Balance between Intellect and Emotion: Though sometimes labeled intellectual, their poetry possessed a hidden poignancy.
  • Fusion of Vision and Precision: They viewed poetry as something quasi-mystical, yet also emphasized clarity and technical skill, balancing a romantic conception with classical execution.
  • Aesthetic Design and Human Authenticity: While striving for beauty, they increasingly explored themes of human authenticity.
  • Minority and Majority Appeal: Though aiming for a select audience, they didn’t exclude the wider public, blending cultured and popular elements.
  • Universal and Spanish Roots: They resonated with universal poetry while maintaining deep Spanish roots.

Influences and Evolution

The Generation of ’27 drew inspiration from various sources:

  • Earlier Generations: Juan Ramón Jiménez and Ramón Gómez de la Serna.
  • Turn-of-the-Century Writers: Miguel de Unamuno, Antonio Machado, and Rubén Darío.
  • 19th Century: Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer.
  • Classical Poets: Góngora, Manrique, Garcilaso, Fray Luis de León, and San Juan de la Cruz.
  • Popular Poetry: Lope de Vega’s short poems and traditional ballads.

This diverse range of influences contributed to their innovative approach to Spanish poetry.

Three Key Stages (According to Dámaso Alonso):

  1. Until 1927: Early influences included Bécquer and lingering Postmodernism, followed by the avant-garde (Ultraism and Creationism). Juan Ramón Jiménez guided them towards pure poetry, emphasizing the metaphor. However, their work retained a human element, influenced by popular lyrics.
  2. 1927–1936: A shift away from pure formalism and towards re-humanization coincided with the rise of Surrealism. Themes of love, longing, frustration, and social concerns emerged. Dámaso Alonso described this as a new era of passionate, transcendental poetry. The Second Republic (1931) introduced political and social themes, as seen in Federico García Lorca’s Poet in New York.
  3. Post-Civil War: Lorca’s death and the exile of many poets (Rafael Alberti, Luis Cernuda, Pedro Salinas, Manuel Altolaguirre, Jorge Guillén) marked a turning point. In exile, poets like Guillén explored themes of human suffering and nostalgia. In Spain, themes of existential anguish emerged in works like Dámaso Alonso’s Hijos de la ira and Vicente Aleixandre’s Historia del corazón.

Legacy

In 1977, Vicente Aleixandre received the Nobel Prize in Literature, recognizing the Generation of ’27’s significant contribution to world poetry.