Modernism in Spanish Literature: A Comprehensive Guide

Posted on Sep 23, 2024 in Latin

Modernism in Spain

Modernism arrived in Spain with the arrival of Rubén Darío, a prominent Nicaraguan poet, in 1892. His visit, marking the fourth centenary of the discovery of America, led him to befriend important Spanish writers of the time and significantly influence younger poets.

Manuel Machado

Manuel Machado, brother of Antonio Machado, was a key figure in Spanish Modernism. He developed a unique poetic style characterized by its diverse shades, ranging from lighthearted compositions about bohemian life, courtship, and bullfighting to melancholic and intimate poems with religious themes. Machado masterfully combined the influences of Symbolism, Andalusian Parnasianism, and new aesthetic trends with a distinct sensuality.

Soul of Recreation

This project exemplifies Machado’s fusion of Andalusian copla with Symbolism and Parnasianism. The poems within are imbued with the sensuality and melancholy characteristic of Modernism. “Castilla” stands out as the most renowned poem in this collection.

Juan Ramón Jiménez

Juan Ramón Jiménez (1881-1958), awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1956, left an indelible mark on Spanish poetry. The presence of his beloved wife, Zenobia Camprubí, played a crucial role in his life and literary creations. Jiménez’s poetry is characterized by:

  • A pursuit of poetic purity and authenticity
  • A blend of popular appeal with profound biographical elements
  • A longing for eternity
  • The presence of a strong aesthetic, ethical, and philosophical foundation

Jiménez viewed poetry not merely as a means to transcend the imperfections of the world but as a path towards self-discovery and spiritual elevation. His writings often reflect these beliefs, offering insights into his creative process and philosophy.

Jiménez’s Literary Stages

Scholars often divide Jiménez’s work into three distinct stages:

  1. Modernist Phase (1900-1914): Characterized by sensory language, simple lines, and vibrant colors. This stage, also known as the “sensitive stage,” includes early works like “Arias Tristes” and the celebrated “Platero y yo.”
  2. Intellectual Stage (1915-1936): Marked by a more introspective and philosophical approach. During this period, Jiménez produced some of his most acclaimed works, including “Diario de un poeta recién casado” (1916), which coincided with his marriage. This work explores the multifaceted nature of journeys: physical (New York), emotional (towards mature love), and literary (discovering Anglo-Saxon poetry through his wife). Jiménez’s ideas during this stage, particularly his emphasis on uncovering the inner essence of things, influenced contemporaries like philosopher José Ortega y Gasset.
  3. Enough or True Stage (1937-1958): Jiménez’s poetry reached its pinnacle of essentiality, prioritizing ideas above all else. Notable works from this period include “Espacio,” a lengthy prose poem characterized by free association of ideas, and “Animal de fondo” (1949), a formally irrational poem stripped of rhyme and stanzaic structure, merging with a transcendental reality.

Antonio Machado

Born in Seville in 1875, Antonio Machado is another towering figure of Spanish Modernism. The death of his wife, Leonor Izquierdo, profoundly impacted his life and poetry. Later, he met Pilar de Valderrama, who would become the muse of his later love poems, referred to as “Guiomar.”

Characteristics of Machado’s Poetry

  1. Romantic Influence: Machado drew inspiration from Romantic poets like Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer and Rosalía de Castro, evident in his use of landscape as a reflection of the soul.
  2. Symbolist Influence: The influence of Symbolists, particularly Paul Verlaine, is apparent in his work.
  3. Critical Perspective on Spain: Machado was deeply concerned about the state of Spain and expressed a desire for its regeneration and modernization.
  4. Use of Symbols: Symbols played a significant role in his poetry, often reflecting his personal outlook on life.
  5. Emphasis on Experience: Machado believed that poetry should be rooted in the poet’s own experiences and emotions, rejecting the notion of pure poetry.

Major Themes

  1. The Essence of Things: Machado’s poetry often delves into the fundamental nature of reality and existence.
  2. Passage of Time: The passage of time, with its inherent melancholy and the weight of memory, is a recurring theme.
  3. Castilla: The region of Castile, particularly Soria, held a special place in Machado’s heart, becoming a central focus in many of his poems, evoking both love and sorrow.
  4. A New Spain: Machado yearned for a modernized and Europeanized Spain, a vision reflected in his verses.
  5. Landscape: Machado masterfully intertwined descriptions of landscapes, both Castilian and Andalusian, with personal reflections, often using them to express emotions and exalt the beauty of the natural world.
  6. Love: Love, in its various forms, is a prominent theme, often intertwined with loss and longing.
  7. Dreams: Machado explored dreams as a means of gaining insight into a reality beyond everyday experience.
  8. Religious Skepticism: While Machado grappled with the idea of God, his stance leaned towards skepticism, often portraying faith as a dream or a distant longing.
  9. Dialogue and Introspection: Machado’s poetry is characterized by a constant dialogue, both with himself and the world around him.

Style

  • Variety of Lines: Machado employed a range of poetic forms, favoring traditional Spanish forms like the romance and copla, alongside the Alexandrine and dodecasyllabic verses.
  • Refined Language: His poetic language is characterized by clarity, precision, and a distinct elegance.
  • Transitional Figure: Machado’s style bridges the gap between 19th-century and 20th-century poetry, incorporating elements of both.

Machado’s Literary Stages

  1. Symbolist Intimacy (1899-1907): This stage is marked by a focus on subjectivity and introspection, exploring the poet’s inner world.
  2. Spanish Regenerationism (1907-1912): Represented by his seminal work “Campos de Castilla,” this stage reflects Machado’s growing concern for the state of Spain and his desire for its renewal.
  3. Philosophical and Folk Poetry (1913-1936): In works like “Nuevas canciones,” Machado moves away from overt sentimentality, delving into philosophical reflections and incorporating elements of folk poetry.

Soledades, Galerías y Otros Poemas

This collection explores several key themes:

  • Time, death, and the enduring presence of memories and past experiences
  • Dreams as a means of accessing deeper truths
  • Love, often portrayed as a painful absence, a longing that permeates many of the poems
  • The bittersweet nostalgia for lost youth

The collection showcases Machado’s mastery of symbolism, employing recurring motifs like evening, the road, water, the wheel (representing melancholy), and the shadowy orchard or garden.

Metrically, the collection demonstrates Machado’s preference for the Alexandrine and dodecasyllabic verses.

Campos de Castilla

Published in 1912, with a second edition in 1917 that included poems written in Baeza, “Campos de Castilla” marks a shift from individual to collective concerns in Machado’s poetry. The major themes are:

  • Soria and Leonor: The landscapes of Soria and the memory of his late wife, Leonor, are deeply intertwined.
  • Patriotic Reflections: The collection expresses Machado’s anxieties about the past, present, and future of Spain.
  • Landscape as Meditation: The Castilian landscape becomes a vehicle for contemplation, remembrance, and the expression of profound emotions.

The long romance “La tierra de Alvargonzález” stands out as a particularly powerful poem, exploring themes of greed and envy through a dramatic narrative. Machado’s mastery of traditional Spanish versification is evident in his use of Alexandrine verses and the silva arromanzada.