Spanish Post-War Literature: Authors, Trends, and Key Works
Cultural Situation in Post-War Spain
Culture was adversely affected by the lack of freedom embodied in censorship, which led to the exile of many writers. The general tone was marked by existential pessimism. There were two trends:
- Formal: Characterized by concern for evasion and formal aspects.
- Committed: Focused on social complaints.
Many authors continued publishing in exile abroad.
Post-War Literature
Literary production was low. The lack of freedom and censorship impoverished literary creations. The tone was intimate and existentially pessimistic. Two trends emerged:
- Intimate: Concerned with formal and social aspects.
- Social: Focused on content.
Post-War Lyric Poetry
Poetry addressed existential issues: shortages, death, desolation, etc. There were two main types:
- Rooted Poetry: Created by poets who shared the Francoist ideology.
- Uprooted Poetry: Confronted human misery and hunger. Content mattered more than form, using simple lexicon.
Key Author
- Dámaso Alonso: Children of Wrath
Social Poetry
Poetry should serve society, denounce injustice, and defend the oppressed. The focus was on content, not form. Style: Free verse and simple lexicon were used to flee from perfection.
Key Authors
- Gabriel Celaya
- Blas de Otero
Experimental Poetry
New focus on issues and style. Return to classical metrics and precious style, rescued with avant-garde techniques, such as Surrealism. Themes: Intimacy.
Key Authors
- Jaime Gil de Biedma
- José Ángel Valente
Existential Novel
Cela initiated “Tremendismo” with stark language, depicting crime, violence, and brutality. Human beings struggled to survive.
Key Author
- Camilo José Cela: The Family of Pascual Duarte, Nada
Social Novel
Writers wanted to denounce social injustice and raise awareness. Themes focused on the Spanish reality, representing rural or urban environments. Style: Simple techniques, such as linear narrative or dialogue.
Key Authors
- Camilo José Cela
- Rafael Sánchez Ferlosio
- Carmen Martín Gaite
- Ignacio Aldecoa
- Juan Goytisolo
Revival of the Novel
Formal complexity: Stories became more elaborate, with more concern for style. Thematic form was varied. Writers no longer felt the obligation to transform the world.
Key Authors
- Miguel Delibes: The Rats, Five Hours with Mario
- Luis Martín Santos: Time of Silence
Theater
Three major trends:
Bourgeois Theater
Commercial, friendly tone, aimed at a bourgeois audience that demanded plays of escape and entertainment.
Key Authors
- Jacinto Benavente
- Miguel Mihura
- Jardiel Poncela
Social Theater
Social criticism intended to make the viewer reflect on society. Themes: Social injustice. Characters belonged to poor neighborhoods. Direct language.
Key Authors
- Lauro Olmo
- Antonio Buero Vallejo
Experimental Theater
Social criticism, but looking for new ways of expression (absurd humor). The critical nature took a back seat but remained symbolic.
Key Authors
- Fernando Arrabal
- Francisco Nieva
Literature in Exile
Themes: Common criticism of the Spanish political situation and nostalgia for the homeland. Each writer had their own style.
Key Author
- Ramón J. Sender: Requiem for a Spanish Peasant
Polysemous, Homonymous, and Paronymous Words
Polysemous Words
Words that have two or more interrelated meanings.
Homonymous Words
Terms that coincide in form. Two types:
- Homographs: Written and pronounced the same.
- Homophones: Pronounced the same, but written differently.
Paronymous Words
Words that are pronounced similarly but have different meanings.