Surrealism and the Generation of ’27: Spanish Literature
Surrealism: The Revolutionary Avant-Garde Movement
Surrealism emerged as the most revolutionary and far-reaching avant-garde movement. Originating in 1924, its revolutionary character is evident in its ambition to transform human life. Artistic creation was seen as a path to freedom. Surrealists also employed automatic writing, where the writer transcribes thoughts that occupy their mind when close to sleep. Another technique used was collage (the union of words cut from newspapers, magazines, etc.).
The Generation of ’27: A Golden Age of Spanish Poetry
In the 1920s, a group of poets reached maturity, bringing splendor to poetry in Spain. They are known as the Generation of ’27. This date marked the third centenary of the death of Góngora, whom they reclaimed as an example of a poet dedicated to creating a unique literary world and an autonomous poetic language. Their friendship and the publication of their first books had been developing for several years, and their bond would last until the Spanish Civil War. Their desire to learn from Spanish and foreign literature, reflected in essays and literary criticism, and their staunch defense of the Republic, would cost them death or exile.
Tradition and Avant-Garde
The Generation of ’27 did not merely imitate existing “isms.” Their poems display both the lyrical simplicity and complexity of Lorca and Alberti’s avant-garde styles. They admired opera and popular songs, and considered Juan Ramón Jiménez a model of total dedication to poetry and the pursuit of perfection.
Literary Career Stages
- In Search of Pure Poetry (Until 1929): Their poetic preferences leaned towards the abandonment of the human element and the conception of the poem as an artifact of metaphor and image. The image plays an essential role in the poem’s construction. Hermeticism and difficulty are hallmarks of this poetic concept.
- Surrealism and Rehumanization: Spanish Surrealist manifestations differed from their French origins: there wasn’t an organized group, and automatic writing was rarely practiced. With the arrival of Surrealism, poetry recovered human conflict and became rehumanized.
- War and Exile: The outbreak of war in 1936 deeply affected all poets of the Generation of ’27. Lorca would be killed, and others would go into exile. After the bewilderment and pain caused by the civil conflict, exiled poets gradually regained their style. In the final years of their lives, loneliness and nostalgia tinged their poems with different nuances.
Key Poets of the Generation of ’27
Federico García Lorca
Lorca represents the fusion of tradition and the striking metaphors of the avant-garde. Animated nature and a symbolic system give his work an unmistakable, Surrealist-influenced style. Lorca’s expressive and tragic development began in 1928. His use of language demonstrates his great capacity. The Andalusian line is present in Poema del Cante Jondo (1931) and later in Romancero Gitano. Poet in New York features a poignant technique and discourse.
Rafael Alberti
Rafael Alberti’s work encompasses several poetic lines. Surrealism serves as a means of expressing his deep crisis in Sobre los Ángeles (1929). His political commitment is reflected in a long list of titles, including El poeta en la calle. The nostalgia of exile is present in Retornos de lo vivo lejano (1952). His work is extensive and varied in styles and themes.