Spanish Literature from the 27th Generation to 1975
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Influence of Classical and Pure Poetry
The poets of the Generation of ’27 were influenced by classic Spanish literature (Góngora, Bécquer, and J.R. Jiménez). This influence is evident in their use of traditional forms (e.g., the hendecasyllable) seen in works like Alberti’s Brick and Mortar. Bécquer’s presence is felt in the love poetry of Salinas, such as The Voice Due to You and Reason of Love. J.R. Jiménez’s pure poetry influences Guillén’s Cántico.
- The Voice Due to You: Part of a trilogy that includes Reason and Love, this long lament explores how the beloved (you) gives meaning to the lover’s (I) existence.
- Cántico: Guillén’s 1928 collection extols the joy of existence, everyday objects, and the perfection of beauty.
Avant-Garde Poetry
The avant-garde movements that influenced the Generation of ’27 were Creationism, Ultraism, and Surrealism. The influence of Ultraism and Surrealism is seen in Gerardo Diego’s Image and Manual of Foams. Surrealism’s greatest influence lies in the use of dreamlike imagery, evident in Lorca’s Poet in New York.
- The Forbidden Pleasures (1931): Written in free verse, Cernuda explores the limits of love, identified with desire and suffering. He posits that true love is impossible, leaving only loneliness.
- The Destruction or Love (1935): Aleixandre equates love with death, with the destruction of all that we hold dear. This is not a rejection of love, but an exaltation of the primal life force found in the natural world.
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Literature Since the Civil War
The Spanish Civil War created a radical break in 20th-century literature. Writers abandoned artistic experimentation and formal renewal, focusing instead on propaganda and ideology. After the war, cultural transmission was hampered by the death and exile of many intellectuals. Censorship, imposed in 1939, controlled the dissemination of literary works. From this point, the evolution of Spanish literature became intertwined with the country’s political and social changes.
- Postwar Literature (1940s): Works reflected the dominant ideology and the anguish of the era.
- Social Literature (1950s): Increased international interaction led to an ideological opening, facilitating the publication of works that documented and denounced social problems.
- Formal Renewal (1960s): Economic development and foreign literary influences spurred formal experimentation.
- Post-1975: With the arrival of democracy, censorship disappeared, and authors began to express themselves freely, leading to continuous renewal.
Miguel Hernández
Hernández’s poetry is marked by exceptional quality and intense emotion. His themes include love, death, pain, and social/political commitment.
- Early Works: His early production, beginning with Perito en lunas (1933), shows influences of Baroque and avant-garde styles. El rayo que no cesa (1936) expresses unrequited love through surreal images and symbols.
- Engaged Poetry: During the war, he wrote about the dignity of the people, as seen in Viento del pueblo (1937). El hombre acecha (1939) reflects the pessimism and horrors of war.
- Later Works: Cancionero y romancero de ausencias (1941) explores themes of love, absence, pain, and lack of freedom, using neopopularismo resources.
Lyrical Evolution Until 1975
Lyrical poetry maintained some ties with pre-war literary traditions, evolving from Garcilaso-inspired work to social and formal renewal.
- Postwar Poetry (1940s): Rooted poetry, detached from reality and inspired by Garcilaso, was published in magazines like Garcilaso. Uprooted poetry, expressing sorrow and suffering in free verse, emerged with works like Dámaso Alonso’s Hijos de la ira (1944).
- Social Poetry (1950s): Uprooted poets began to bear witness to contemporary reality. Authors like Blas de Otero, Gabriel Celaya, and José Hierro used simple, colloquial language to address Spain’s situation.
- Poetry of Social Renewal (1960s): Formal and thematic renewal characterized this period. The “promotion of the sixty” broke with tradition, focusing on personal themes and new forms of expression. Key figures include Jaime Gil de Biedma, Ángel González, and José Ángel Valente.
- Novísimos: This group incorporated themes and topics from film, comics, and popular culture. Their name comes from José María Castellet’s anthology Nueve novísimos poetas españoles (1970), featuring poets like Pere Gimferrer, Guillermo Carnero, and Félix de Azúa.
José Hierro
Hierro’s poetry reflects the evolution of Spanish lyricism, addressing existential and social issues with expressive eagerness to innovate.
- Cuaderno de Nueva York: These poems reflect Hierro’s personal experiences and observations of New York City.
- Alegría: This collection explores themes of joy, love, and the beauty of the natural world.
From One Side and Another
Evolution of the Novel Until 1975
Reflecting political and social transformations, the novel evolved from postwar realism to formal restoration.
- Uprooted Novel (1940s): Postwar works explored the daily reality of a defeated nation, uncovering the violence and meaninglessness of existence. Key figures include Camilo José Cela and Carmen Laforet.
- Social Novel (1950s): The need to bear witness led to narratives focused on social issues. Collective characters and objective narration, with increased dialogue, characterized this period. Notable authors include Carmen Martín Gaite, Miguel Delibes, and Alfonso Grosso.
- Novel of Formal Renewal (1960s): Emphasis shifted to language and narrative structure. Techniques included mixing social backgrounds, incorporating typographical resources, and using multiple points of view. Key figures include Juan Marsé, Luis Martín Santos, and Miguel Delibes.