Spanish Post-Civil War Literature: Theater and Poetry of the 50s
The Theater of the Fifties
The Spanish Civil War had a profound impact on culture, particularly in the realm of literature. Many writers went into exile, primarily to Latin America, but maintained contact with those who remained in Spain. Their works, despite censorship, circulated widely. Theater suffered the most due to commercial and ideological constraints, hindering its renewal. Censorship affected not only the text but also the performance itself.
A New Stage: Social Protest Theater
A new era of social protest theater emerged. While similar conditions persisted from previous years, variations led to developments that consolidated in the 1960s. A new, younger, and often university-affiliated audience emerged, demanding a different kind of theater. Censorship relaxed slightly, tolerating some critical perspectives.
Key Figures in Social Drama
Antonio Buero Vallejo and Alfonso Sastre are considered pioneers of social drama. Buero Vallejo, initially sentenced to death, later had his sentence commuted to life imprisonment and was paroled in 1946. His tragedies explored complex problems with equally complex solutions. His precise language and detailed stage directions are notable. Key works include Historia de una escalera (historical drama), Un Soñador Para un Pueblo (historical drama), and El Concierto de San Ovidio (character drama).
Sastre’s work consistently examines the impact of unjust power on individuals. Escuadra Hacia la Muerte, a landmark play in Spanish war theater, depicts the tense dynamic between a tyrannical leader and his soldiers facing a suicide mission.
Other Notable Playwrights and Works
- Los Inocentes de la Moncloa by Rodríguez Méndez (1960)
- El Tintero by Carlos Muñiz (1961)
- La Camisa by Lauro Olmo (1962)
- Los Salvajes en Puente de San Gil by Martín Recuerda (1963)
These works explore themes of social injustice, alienation, dehumanizing bureaucracy, worker exploitation, the anguish of young activists, and the plight of migrant workers. The authors’ approach is one of testimony and protest, often employing realism with varying emphases. This theater is deeply committed to portraying the realities of life in Spain.
The Poetry of the Fifties
The Civil War’s impact resonated deeply in poetry as well. Social realism dominated, characterized by simple, colloquial language, prioritizing content over exquisite beauty, and often employing a narrative style.
Themes and Style
A prominent theme is the “subject of Spain,” even more obsessive than in the Generation of ’98. This focus significantly influences the dominant style.
Key Poets
Blas de Otero: His work synthesizes post-Civil War poetry in Spain, evolving from the rooted style of the immediate postwar period to the uprooted style of later years. Ángel Fieramente Humano and Redoble de Conciencia are key early works. Pido la Paz y la Palabra (1955) marks a shift towards social concerns, further developed in En Castellano.
Gabriel Celaya: Cantos Íberos is his most significant social realist work, featuring a belligerent tone of encouragement and exhortation, evident in both content and technique.