Modernism in Spanish Literature: A Comprehensive Overview
Modernism
In the last third of the nineteenth century, art movements known as Modernism emerged throughout the Western world. These movements developed in architecture, literature, and painting, characterized by innovation and a strong aesthetic focus. In Spain, the main representative of Modernism is the architect Antoni Gaudí. Modernism also flourished in Latin America, originating in the Caribbean and spreading throughout the Americas before reaching Spain. Rubén Darío is widely recognized as the figure who brought Modernism to its peak of success in Spain and Latin America in the late nineteenth century. The movement lasted until around 1916.
Influences
- French Influence: From the 1850s onward, French literature was energized by the Realism movement. Charles Baudelaire emerged with his work “Les Fleurs du Mal” (The Flowers of Evil), revolutionizing French poetry and giving rise to the aesthetic of Symbolism. Influenced by Baudelaire, a group of authors sought to change literature by changing its language, including the Parnassians and Symbolists. Of these authors, the most influential on Hispanic Modernism was the Parnassian poet Paul Verlaine.
- Latin American Influence: Rubén Darío was admired by Spanish poets for introducing Modernism to the Spanish-speaking world.
- Classical Influence: Modernist poets rejected classical poetry, which played a significant role in shaping the movement.
- Romantic Influence: While not a primary source, Romanticism provided certain ideas that were highlighted and adapted by Modernist poetry.
Rubén Darío
Born in Nicaragua in 1867, Rubén Darío achieved fame at a young age with his poetry collection, Azul (Blue), published when he was only 21. He dedicated himself to journalism and traveled to Buenos Aires. Darío’s ambition was to visit Europe, and he arrived in Spain as a journalist in 1892 to cover the fourth centenary of the discovery of America. This first trip immersed him in the excitement surrounding Hispanic culture and introduced him to major authors of Spanish Realism. In 1898, he made his second trip to Europe, covering the Spanish-American War in Cuba and traveling to the United States. He became famous and acquainted with young Spanish writers. Darío settled in Paris as the Nicaraguan consul and lived there for the rest of his life. He left his wife and son in Nicaragua in 1916. In poor health, Darío returned to Nicaragua with his family, where he died.
Work of Rubén Darío
Darío’s poems and prose introduced modern poetic features. Two elements distinguish his work from other poets: the erotic and the national. Three books mark his career:
- Azul (1888): Introduced a new poetic style and marked the beginning and culmination of Modernism. This book includes both short stories and poems.
- Prosas Profanas (1896): A book of poetry that embodies Modernist aesthetics. It is considered the culmination of the movement, though some critics found it superficial.
- Cantos de Vida y Esperanza (Songs of Life and Hope) (1905): Darío’s most personal book, with a moderated expression and elements of personal intimacy. It emphasizes the reaffirmation of Hispanic identity.
Juan Ramón Jiménez
Born in Palos de la Frontera in 1881, Juan Ramón Jiménez studied in Seville and moved to Madrid to pursue a literary career. In Madrid, he connected with leading intellectuals and young writers. From a young age, he suffered from fragile health and emotional disorders. His dedication to his craft earned him prestige, and he became a prominent author influenced by Rubén Darío. He moved to the Residencia de Estudiantes, a hub of cultural activity in early twentieth-century Madrid. He married Zenobia Camprubí, whose family lived in New York, and their travels inspired one of his works, Diario de un poeta recién casado (Diary of a Newlywed Poet). He transitioned from Modernism to Pure Poetry, becoming a major figure in Spanish literature and influencing young writers. However, his strong personality strained his relationships with them. During the Spanish Civil War, he went into exile in the Americas. In 1956, he received the Nobel Prize in Literature, and days later, his wife died of cancer. Juan Ramón Jiménez died in Puerto Rico in 1958.
Characteristics of Modernism
- Reaction against Realism: Modernism sought a heightened aesthetic and aimed to recover the beauty of language.
- Art for Art’s Sake: Modernist art did not require a connection to social reality; it existed for its own sake.
- Rejection of Vulgarity: Modernists valued refinement and elegance, often escaping the bourgeoisie and embracing aristocratic ideals.
- Cult of Sensory Beauty: Modernists celebrated the beauty of the senses.
- Love of Exotic and Unreal Environments: Modernist poets often fled the real world, creating exotic and unreal settings in their works.
- Metric and Strophic Renewal: Modernists experimented with meter and stanza forms to enhance the musicality of their poetry.
- Careful Language: Modernists paid meticulous attention to the language of their poems.