Spanish Generation of 1927: Poets and History
Generation of ’27: From Monarchy to Republic
The end of Primo de Rivera’s dictatorship was marked by a decrease in political repression and economic expansion. Dámaso Berenguer established the parliamentary model in 1931. The king abdicated and on April 14, the Second Republic was proclaimed. Led by Manuel Azaña, it undertook an extensive political program and faced the economic crisis of 1929. There was ideological polarization (fascism and communism). Elections were held in 1936, won by the Popular Front. The members of the Generation of ’27 had a growing and active membership.
Generation of ’27: Characteristics
In 1927, the 300th anniversary of Góngora’s death was commemorated, and he was taken as a model poet. The defining features of this generation are:
- Close birth dates
- A benchmark figure
- Broad literary background
- Relationships of friendship
- Commonplaces
- Literary magazines
- Ordinary teachers
- Anthologies
Their characteristics include similar aesthetic tastes, mixed literary influences, a special interest in the popular, poetic renewal, and the influence of the avant-garde. Their themes are:
- City (idea of progress)
- Nature (closer to the everyday world)
- Love
- Commitment
The stages of this generation are:
- Initial (until 1929)
- Before the Civil War (1929-1936)
- After the Civil War (from 1939)
Poetry of the Generation of ’27 and its Authors
Pedro Salinas
Pedro Salinas (1891-1951) identified three stages in his life:
- First: “Omens,” “Safe Chance,” and “Fable and Sign”
- Second: “The Voice Due to You,” “Reason of Love,” and “Long Lament”
- Third: “Everything Clearer” and “Trust”
He was also a playwright and wrote short stories and novels. His style is characterized by the search for the essence of life and formal beauty.
Jorge Guillén
Jorge Guillén (1893-1984) was a Nobel and Cervantes laureate. His most important works are “Songs,” “Cry,” and “Tribute.” His style emphasizes elaborate expression.
Gerardo Diego
Gerardo Diego (1896-1987) was born in Santander and died in Madrid. He was a Nobel Prize winner for Literature. In his poetry, he explored two different styles: traditional poetry and avant-garde poetry. His style is characterized by a great variety of themes, such as love, nature, music, and religion.
Vicente Aleixandre
Vicente Aleixandre (1898-1984) was a National Prize for Literature winner and a member of the Royal Academy. His works are based on love, nature, and death. There are three stages:
- First: “Passion for the Earth,” “Swords as Lips,” and “Shades of Paradise”
- Second: “History of the Heart,” “In a Vast Domain,” and “Portraits with Name”
- Third: “Poems of Consummation” and “Dialogues of Knowledge”
His style is characterized by the use of innovative metaphors and subjectivity.
Rafael Alberti
Rafael Alberti (1902-1999) was a Cervantes Prize winner. His most important works were “Sailor on Land,” “Lime and Stone,” and “On the Angels.” His style emphasizes variety, the use of anaphora, free verse, and surreal images.
Federico García Lorca
Federico García Lorca (1898-1936) was shot during the Spanish Civil War. The themes of his works are inevitable death, love, and the frustration that leads to tragedy. Two stages can be distinguished:
- First: “Book of Poems,” “Songs,” and “Gypsy Ballads”
- Second: “Poet in New York,” “Divan del Tamarit,” and “Sonnets of Dark Love”
His style emphasizes mastery of creative technique, personal aesthetics, and symbolism.
Luis Cernuda
Luis Cernuda (1902-1963) was a student of Pedro Salinas and came into contact with Surrealism. His works reflect his hypersensitive character (homosexuality, isolation, rebellion). There are two stages:
- Seville stage: “Eclogue, Elegy, and Ode”
- Madrid stage: “A River, a Love” and “Forbidden Pleasures”
His style is characterized by the use of free verse, symbols, and images.