Spanish Literary Movements: Romanticism to Modernism
Spanish Literary Movements
Romanticism (Late 18th – Mid 19th Century)
A dominant cultural movement in Europe and America, Romanticism’s emergence is linked to the French Revolution. It represents the rise of the bourgeoisie and a reaction against Neoclassicism.
Key Characteristics:
- Focus on the individual: Authors explored their inner emotions and experiences.
- Emotional extremes: Themes of love, despair, melancholy, and rebellion were common.
- Fascination with the past: Interest in the Middle Ages, exotic locales, and the supernatural.
- Rejection of bourgeois values: Romantic authors often celebrated outcasts and marginalized figures.
- Emphasis on nature: Depictions of dramatic landscapes, ruins, and the power of nature.
- Originality and emotional expression: Valued unique artistic expression and strong emotional impact.
Realism (Second Half of 19th Century)
Realism emerged as a reaction against Romanticism, reflecting the pragmatic and utilitarian mindset of the rising bourgeoisie and the influence of Positivism.
Key Characteristics:
- Focus on contemporary reality: Depicted everyday life and social issues.
- Emphasis on observation and documentation: Authors sought to portray reality objectively.
- Rejection of imagination: Favored factual accuracy over fantasy.
- Rise of the novel: The novel became the dominant literary form, allowing for detailed descriptions of characters and settings.
- Omniscient narrator: Provided an objective perspective on the story.
Modernism (Late 19th – Early 20th Century)
Modernism originated in Spain as a rebellion against bourgeois values and realism.
Key Characteristics:
- Escapism: Rejection of mundane reality and exploration of fantasy and distant worlds.
- Emphasis on aesthetics: Focus on beauty, sensuality, and symbolism.
- Experimentation with form: Use of new metric forms and poetic techniques.
Generation of ’98
A group of writers deeply concerned with the state of Spain after the Spanish-American War.
Key Characteristics:
- Focus on Spain: Explored Spanish identity, history, and landscape, particularly Castile.
- Existential concerns: Grappled with questions of meaning, time, and death.
- Concise and clear style: Rejected rhetoric and sought clarity of expression.
Generation of ’27
A group of poets who emerged in the 1920s, influenced by avant-garde movements.
Key Characteristics:
- Experimentation and originality: Embraced new poetic forms and techniques.
- Irrational metaphors: Connected seemingly disparate elements based on emotional associations.
- Free verse and mixed verse forms: Emphasized psychological rhythm over traditional meter.
- Evolution of themes: Moved from pure poetry to exploring human passions and social concerns.
Key Authors and Works:
- Romanticism: Duque de Rivas (“Don Álvaro and the Force of Destiny”), Larra (“Macías”)
- Realism: Galdós
- Generation of ’98: Unamuno (“Niebla”, “La Tía Tula”, “Life of Don Quixote and Sancho”)
- Generation of ’14: Ortega y Gasset
- Generation of ’27: Salinas (“La voz a ti debida”, “Razón de amor”), Jorge Guillén (“Cántico”, “Clamor”)