Surrealism, Emilio Prados, and Francisco Ayala in Spanish Literature
Surrealism: Origins and Concepts
Surrealism emerged in the early 1920s, primarily driven by the writer André Breton. Its interest in the subconscious, dreams, and human thought is linked to the growing knowledge of Sigmund Freud’s theories and the doctrine of psychoanalysis. Surrealism presented itself as a movement for human emancipation. This liberation was intended to manifest spontaneously in literary work, free from limitations and inhibitions, aiming to achieve a higher reality (sur-reality).
Key Figures and Automatic Writing
To achieve this expressive language, Breton proposed automatic writing, a method similar to psychoanalytic techniques. This pursuit of automatic expression resulted in a distinct style. Besides Breton, other significant writers included:
- Paul Eluard
- Louis Aragon
- Antonin Artaud
This group experienced internal conflicts, with Breton often acting as a leader who admitted or expelled members.
Social and Political Dimensions
The desire for freedom that fueled the movement also had social and political significance. In terms of social liberation, it aligned with the tenets of Marx. Breton attempted to align Surrealism with the French Communist Party. However, Surrealism’s practical political impact as a group was limited. Nevertheless, Surrealism contributed to the re-humanization of the avant-garde by addressing social issues like commitment and moral revolution. The Surrealists moved beyond viewing art merely as an inconsequential game. The personal trajectories of Breton and others confirm this humanistic, even neo-Romantic, turn within the avant-garde.
Emilio Prados (1899-1962): Poetic Journey
Emilio Prados was born in Malaga in 1899 and died in 1962 in Mexico, where he lived in exile after the Spanish Civil War. We can distinguish three stages in his work:
- His first books (e.g., Canciones del farero, Cuerpo perseguido)
- His poetry of the 1930s, collected in three books (Llanto subterráneo, Llanto en la sangre, and Cancionero menor para los combatientes)
- His work from exile (e.g., Jardín cerrado, Piedra escrita)
Early Works and Influences
His initial books show the influence of Juan Ramón Jiménez and Andalusian Neopopularismo. The poet seeks a fusion of his body with nature, characterized by a restless yet contemplative attitude. From the beginning, his poetry reveals a high level of aesthetic design and demanding standards.
Surrealism, Commitment, and Exile
His poetry during the 1930s was influenced by Surrealism, from which he adopted not only techniques but also a sense of social commitment. This social intention manifested in political themes and popular forms. In exile, his language often featured Baroque conceits. Themes of memory, nostalgia for Spain, and meditation on the passage of time, consciousness, and death are also prominent.
Francisco Ayala: Post-War Narrative Themes
Francisco Ayala published the best of his work after leaving Spain following the Civil War. His fiction is notable for its collections of stories, including:
- Los usurpadores
- La cabeza del cordero
- Historia de macacos
He also published his memoirs, Recuerdos y olvidos. In his narrative written during exile, Ayala distanced himself from the detached aestheticism of his avant-garde youth. His books became a reflection on power and violence.
Style, Irony, and Moral Observation
This thematic focus led Ayala to carefully maintain narrative distance from events and characters. Irony, parody, caricature, and burlesque humor contribute to this detachment and enhance the persuasive moral observations of a writer whose style and narrative technique make him one of the most important narrators in post-war Spanish literature.