Spanish Literature of the 20th Century: Avant-Garde and Generation of ’27
1. Society and Culture in the Early 20th Century
The early decades of the 20th century witnessed new ways of thought and expression, largely due to various events and circumstances. New scientific theories, such as Einstein’s theory of relativity, brought a new vision of life. The First World War (1914-1918) caused a profound crisis, particularly in Europe. Although Spain did not participate directly in the war, it experienced significant changes, including the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera (1923-1930) and the establishment of the Second Republic (1931). However, the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) tragically interrupted the Republic’s progress.
2. Avant-Garde Literature: A Break from Tradition
Art, in its various forms, seeks to break the formal and aesthetic molds of previous artistic trends. Avant-garde movements aimed to radically challenge all previous aesthetic canons, seeking to provoke or inspire reflection in the viewer or reader. The most important avant-garde currents were:
- Futurism: Launched by the Italian poet Marinetti in 1909, Futurism celebrated technical advances, the urban world, innovative technology, and machines.
- Cubism: While its greatest impact was on the visual arts, Cubism also influenced literature through calligrams, poems whose verses take on forms related to their content. Guillaume Apollinaire was a prominent figure in this movement.
- Dadaism: Emerging in 1916 and formalized by Tristan Tzara’s manifesto in 1918, Dadaism embraced provocation and rebellion. It was the most radical of the avant-garde movements but was relatively short-lived.
- Creationism: Initiated by Vicente Huidobro in 1918, Creationism emphasized the poet’s role as a creator of new realities through language.
3. The Avant-Garde in Spain
Noucentisme (Generation of 1914): This group of writers, influenced by the Generation of ’98, laid the foundations for the artistic renewal that would occur in Spain in the 1920s. Key figures included Gabriel Miró, Ramón Pérez de Ayala, José Ortega y Gasset, and Ramón Gómez de la Serna.
Ramón Gómez de la Serna was a significant figure in introducing the avant-garde to Spain. He invented the literary genre of the greguería.
Greguerías: These are short, witty sentences that use metaphors or puns to express a humorous, critical, or curious concept.
Ultraism: This Spanish avant-garde movement combined characteristics of various European movements. Guillermo de la Torre (1900-1971) was a key promoter of Ultraism.
Surrealism: This movement aimed to liberate the artist’s unconscious, allowing thoughts and emotions to flow freely without repression. It emerged in Spain in the mid-1920s, influenced by the French founder André Breton.
4. The Generation of ’27
This group of poets, including Gerardo Diego, Jorge Guillén, Dámaso Alonso, Pedro Salinas, Federico García Lorca, Rafael Alberti, Luis Cernuda, and Vicente Aleixandre, is considered one of the most important in Spanish literature.
Characteristics of the Poetry of ’27:
- Blend of Tradition and Avant-Garde: They recovered elements of traditional Spanish lyricism, such as the romance, canción, and ballad, while also incorporating avant-garde techniques. They were influenced by classical poets like Garcilaso, Lope de Vega, and Góngora.
- Influence of Pure Poetry: They admired the Noucentista writers, particularly Juan Ramón Jiménez, and his emphasis on pure, evocative language.
Trajectory of the Group:
- The 1920s: Their work was characterized by the influence of Pure Poetry and avant-garde features, particularly the poetry of Góngora.
- The 1930s: Individual styles and interests began to diverge, but they shared a decreased interest in Pure Poetry and a growing concern for social and political issues. Lorca, Alberti, Cernuda, and Aleixandre embraced Surrealism.
- Post-Civil War: The group ceased to exist as such. Those who remained in Spain wrote under the repression of the Franco dictatorship, while others lived in exile.
Jorge Guillén (1893-1984): Born in Valladolid, Guillén was a professor and literary critic. He lived in exile in the U.S. and received the Cervantes Prize in 1977. His poetic evolution can be divided into three stages: Cántico (optimistic and harmonious), Clamor (critical of social injustice), and Homenaje (a synthesis of the previous stages).
Dámaso Alonso (1898-1990): A literary critic and philologist, Alonso also wrote poetry. His early work was influenced by Pure Poetry, while his later work, such as Hijos de la ira, reflects the impact of the Civil War.
Poets Influenced by Surrealism:
Neopopularism: This trend rescued popular elements from the oral tradition and incorporated them into modern poetry.
Federico García Lorca (1898-1936): A playwright and poet, Lorca’s work often explored themes of love, death, and social injustice. His major works include Romancero gitano, Poema del cante jondo, and the plays Bodas de sangre, Yerma, and La casa de Bernarda Alba.
Rafael Alberti (1902-1999): A poet and painter, Alberti was a member of the Communist Party and lived in exile during the Franco dictatorship. His early work, such as Marinero en tierra, was influenced by Neopopularism, while later works explored more personal and political themes.
Luis Cernuda (1902-1963): Cernuda lived in exile from 1938 and his poetry often explored themes of love, loneliness, and the conflict between the individual and society. His major works include La realidad y el deseo, Los placeres prohibidos, and Donde habite el olvido.
Vicente Aleixandre (1898-1984): Aleixandre’s poetry was deeply influenced by Surrealism. His major work, La destrucción o el amor, explores themes of love, death, and the natural world. He received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1977.