Post-Civil War Spanish Literature: Poetry and Novel
Post-Civil War Spanish Literature
The Poetry of the Forties
The Spanish Civil War had a profound impact on the cultural landscape, including literature. Many writers went into exile, primarily to Latin America, but maintained contact with those who remained in Spain. Their books, despite censorship, circulated widely.
In the realm of poetry, a “re-humanization” process began after the war, focusing on existential and social themes. Formal concerns took a backseat until much later.
The Generation of
Read MoreSpanish 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
Read MoreThe Silver Age of Spanish Literature
The Silver Age: Historical and Cultural Context
Historical Context
The early 20th century in post-World War I Spain was marked by significant political and social instability. The Second Republic, established in 1931, lasted until the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936. Following the war, Franco’s dictatorship imposed harsh repression against those who defended the Republic.
Society and Culture
This era witnessed an artistic flourishing influenced by diverse factors, including the educational
Read More20th-Century Spanish Literature: From Noucentisme to the Generation of ’27
1. The Noucentisme Movement (Early 20th Century)
The Noucentista movement in Spain was deeply concerned with the subject of Europe. These rationalists emphasized order, formal perfection, and beauty, seeking an escape from the ordinary. Their work showcased conceptual precision, reflecting a solid intellectual foundation. They believed in creating literature for discerning audiences, valuing art for its intrinsic beauty.
The Influence of José Ortega y Gasset
Philosopher José Ortega y Gasset, considered
Read MoreModernist and 98 Generation Novels
Metamorphosis of the Modernist Novel
This stage is characterized by a crisis of realism and a constant search for new paths, affecting mainly the plot, themes, structure, and techniques.
The Plot and Action
- Action is downplayed.
- The action is interrupted by digressions or lengthy descriptions.
- The plot doesn’t meet the 3 parts (exposition, rising action, and denouement) and is presented as a fragment, without beginning or end.
- Open endings are common.
- Themes, in addition to universal ones (loneliness,
19th Century Spanish Realism and Naturalism
Realism (1844-1870)
Beginning with Fernán Caballero’s “The Seagull” in 1844, Spanish Realism emerged from the costumbrismo genre, adopting its novel construction techniques. Photography’s invention further influenced this shift. Key characteristics of the realist novel include:
- Traditional structure (beginning, middle, and end, sometimes with an epilogue).
- Chronological linearity.
- Antihero characters: ordinary individuals from the bourgeoisie facing everyday problems.
- Detailed settings as mere backdrops