Post-War Catalan Narrative: From Franco to the 21st Century

Posted on Sep 29, 2024 in Latin

1. The Sociopolitical Context of Post-War Catalan Narrative (1939-1970)

The political landscape after the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) significantly impacted Catalan literature. The Franco regime aimed to suppress Catalan culture and language, promoting linguistic unification under Castilian Spanish.

Franco’s Policies:

  • Censorship and suppression of Catalan language and culture.
  • Promotion of Castilian Spanish as the sole national language.
  • Exile of Catalan intellectuals and writers.

Impact on Literature:

  • Slow resurgence of Catalan literature under censorship.
  • Emergence of exile literature in journals like “Journal of Exile” and “Blue Bridge”.
  • Development of symbolic and allegorical narratives to circumvent censorship.

Key Developments:

  • 1947: Josep Pla’s “El carrer estret” marked a turning point in Catalan literature.
  • 1950s: Increased contact with the public and emergence of new novelists like Manuel de Pedrolo and Joan Perucho.
  • 1959: Death of Carles Riba, a prominent figure in Catalan literature.
  • 1960s: Relaxation of censorship and growth of publishing houses.
  • Rise of authors like Terenci Moix and Baltasar Porcel.

2. Literary Works of Enric Valor (1911-2000)

Enric Valor, born in Castalla in 1911, played a crucial role in promoting the Valencian dialect of Catalan. He dedicated himself to spreading grammar rules and vocabulary through works like “Millorem el llenguatge” (Let’s Improve the Language) and “Curso de gramática valenciana” (Valencian Grammar Course).

Valor’s Contributions:

  • Championed the use of Valencian in literature.
  • Published novels like “L’ambició d’Aleix” (Aleix’s Ambition) and the renowned “Rondalles valencianes” (Valencian Tales).
  • Captured the essence of rural life and nature in his realistic narratives.

Valor’s Novels:

  • Novels with individual heroes: Focus on the struggles and experiences of a single protagonist.
  • Novels with collective heroes: Shift the focus to a group or community as the protagonist.

3. Mercè Rodoreda and the Psychology of Characters

Mercè Rodoreda (1908-1983) is a prominent figure in Catalan literature, known for her exploration of the psychology of her characters. Her works often delve into the inner lives of women, portraying their emotions, struggles, and relationships with depth and sensitivity.

Rodoreda’s Life and Works:

  • Early passion for literature and theater.
  • Published her first novel, “Sóc una dona honrada?” (Am I an Honest Woman?), in 1932.
  • 1938: Published “Aloma”, a novel featuring a female protagonist and exploring themes of introspection and lyricism.
  • Exile during the Spanish Civil War.
  • 1950s: Resumed novel writing in Geneva.
  • 1962: Published “La plaça del Diamant” (The Time of the Doves), a poignant story of a woman’s life during the Civil War and its aftermath.
  • 1966: Published “El carrer de les Camèlies” (Camellia Street).
  • 1974: Published “Mirall trencat” (Broken Mirror), a complex family saga spanning several generations.

Rodoreda’s Techniques:

  • Interior monologue.
  • Direct and indirect style.
  • Evocative and poetic prose.
  • Symbolism (e.g., doves in “La plaça del Diamant”).

4. Catalan Narrative from the 1970s to the Present

The Generation of 70:

  • Writers born and trained in the post-war period.
  • Marked by the sociopolitical changes of the 1950s and 1960s.
  • Influenced by television and film.
  • Addressed the crisis of the novel and explored themes of escape and generational conflict.
  • Notable works include “Abans del foc” (Before the Fire) by Jaume Cabré.

Valencian Narrative of the 70s:

  • Closely linked to the normalization of Catalan culture.
  • Emergence of new novelists like Jesús Moncada and Isabel-Clara Simó.
  • Continued contributions from established writers like Joan Francesc Mira.

The 1980s to the Present:

  • Influenced by societal evolution and institutional support for literature.
  • Passing of major figures like Josep Pla, Mercè Rodoreda, and Salvador Espriu.
  • Rise of marginalized authors like Joan Brossa and Pere Calders.
  • Quim Monzó’s “Uf, va dir ell” (Whew, He Said) marked a new stage with its humor and ideological confusion.
  • Diverse trends in the novel, including symbolism, rural settings, detective fiction, science fiction, and historical narratives.