20th-Century Spanish Literature: Poetry and Theater
The Poetry of War
The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) plunged Spain into a period of profound economic and cultural crisis. The problems the country faced created a literary vacuum that contributed to several factors:
- The deaths of representative poets of previous generations.
- Censorship and repression of the Franco regime.
- Exile of poets such as Juan Ramón Jiménez and a large part of the Generation of ’27.
One of the poets who exerted greater influence in the post-war lyric was Miguel Hernández. Although
Read MorePost-Civil War Literature in Spain
Damaso Alonso (1898-1990)
Damaso Alonso, a poet, professor, and critic from Madrid, is often associated with the Generation of ’27. His work, particularly Children of Wrath, is a cornerstone of existential literature. This powerful poem, which opens with a cry against moral misery and injustice, reflects Alonso’s exploration of the human condition and what he termed “the double anxiety.”
Other notable works, such as Dark Essential News and Man and God, continue this thematic thread. Children of Wrath
Read MoreGeneration of ’27: A Deep Dive into Spanish Poetry
Generation of ’27
Tradition and Avant-Garde
While exploring new avenues in poetry, the Generation of ’27 maintained a deep respect for Spanish literary traditions. They admired the poetic language of Luis de Góngora, drew inspiration from classic Spanish literature, and appreciated popular forms like ballads. Simultaneously, they were influenced by avant-garde movements, particularly Surrealism. Surrealist writers delved into the unconscious mind, seeking to achieve a form of absolute beauty that
Read MoreSpanish Literature Before the Civil War
The Pre-Novel of the Spanish Civil War
In 1912, four novels emerged that paved an innovative path in Spanish narrative: Azorín’s The Will, Pío Baroja’s The Path of Perfection, Miguel de Unamuno’s Love and Pedagogy, and Valle-Inclán’s Sonata of Autumn. These novelists, each with their unique style, reacted against the prevailing realistic and naturalistic formulas.
The technical differences between these novels and those of the previous century include:
- Shift in Point of View: The narrative perspective
Spanish Literature: Generation of ’27, ’98, Modernism & Avant-garde
Generation of ’27
Features:
- Aesthetic renovation of poetry, incorporating avant-garde innovations and Spanish influences.
- Renewal of poetic language through religious vocabulary, colloquialisms, etc.
- Use of metaphors to express surreal content.
- Variety of metric forms, including sonnets, romances, carols, blank verse, and free verse.
- Evolution of themes from a focus on the poem itself to a humanized poetry influenced by Surrealism.
Key Authors:
Pedro Salinas (1891-1951):
- Poetry as a way to access the essence
Salvador Espriu: Life, Works, and Literary Legacy
Salvador Espriu: National Poet of Catalonia
Biography
- Born in Santa Coloma de Farners, 1913.
- Family relocated to Barcelona; father worked as a notary.
- Spent extended periods in Arenys de Mar, a coastal town.
- A sickly child, he spent much time reading.
- 1933: A Mediterranean cruise significantly impacted his life and work.
- 1935-1936: Studied Law and Ancient History at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.
- Experienced the hardship of the Spanish Civil War; mobilized as a war auditor, lost his friend Bartolomé