The Generation of ’27: A Deep Dive into Spanish Poetry’s Golden Age

Posted on May 7, 2024 in Language

The Generation of ’27: Exploring Spain’s Poetic Renaissance

A Collective of Young, Talented Writers

The Generation of ’27, a group of young Spanish poets, excelled in the art of poetry. Key figures included Pedro Salinas, Jorge Guillén, Federico García Lorca, Vicente Aleixandre, Rafael Alberti, Luis Cernuda, and Dámaso Alonso.

Defining Characteristics

Several factors distinguished this group:

  • Close Relationships: The writers, born around the same time, shared strong friendships and cultural exchanges, influencing each other’s work.
  • Homage to Góngora: The group’s name originates from a 1927 event in Seville commemorating the 300th anniversary of the death of poet Luis de Góngora, a major influence on their work.
  • Evolving Interests: Their literary journey can be divided into three stages: early influences from Juan Ramón Jiménez and Ultraism (1918-1925), finding their individual voices (1926-1929), and incorporating social and political themes with Surrealist influences (1930s onwards). The Spanish Civil War dispersed the group, with some members going into exile.

Neopopularismo: Embracing Traditional Lyricism

The Generation of ’27 was deeply influenced by traditional Spanish lyric poetry, leading to the development of Neopopularismo. This movement is characterized by short compositions with simple verses, often incorporating refrains and intense lyricism through repetition and parallelism.

Rafael Alberti: A Poetic Journey

Rafael Alberti (1902-1999) began his career with Neopopularist works like Marinero en tierra (1925), followed by El alba del alhelí (1927). Surrealist influences are evident in Sobre los ángeles (1928). Later, he expressed social and political concerns in works like Poeta en la calle (1924-34). His exile inspired poems like Entre el clavel y la espada (1941), evoking a lost Spain.

Federico García Lorca: A Fusion of Tradition and Innovation

Federico García Lorca, born in Fuente Vaqueros (Granada), blended Andalusian folk traditions with literary influences. His poetic journey can be traced through three phases:

  1. Revitalizing Tradition: Lorca drew inspiration from flamenco and gypsy culture, as seen in his Romancero gitano, where he portrays marginalized Roma communities with profound empathy.
  2. Poeta en Nueva York: This collection reflects Lorca’s experiences in New York City and his critique of modern urban life.
  3. Seeking Balance: Works like Llanto por Ignacio Sánchez Mejías, Diván del Tamarit, and Sonetos del amor oscuro showcase Lorca’s exploration of themes like death, love, and personal identity.

Influences from Classical and Pure Poetry

The Generation of ’27 drew inspiration from Spanish classics, particularly Góngora, as well as more recent poets like Bécquer and Juan Ramón Jiménez. They employed traditional forms like the sonnet and hendecasyllable verse, while also embracing the pure poetry of Jiménez.

Pedro Salinas: Exploring Love and Existence

Pedro Salinas (1891-1951) was a professor and active participant in cultural life. He went into exile in the U.S. in 1936. His poetic trajectory includes three main phases:

  1. Avant-Garde and Góngora Influences: Works like Seguro azar (1929) and Fábula y signo (1931) showcase these influences.
  2. Love Poetry: Salinas’s most celebrated works explore the complexities of love, including La voz a ti debida (1931), Razón de amor (1936), and Largo lamento (1939).
  3. Exile and Reflections on Existence: During his exile, Salinas’s poetry delved into philosophical themes, as seen in El contemplado (1946), Todo más claro (1949), and the posthumous Confianza (1955).

Jorge Guillén: Celebrating the Joy of Existence

Jorge Guillén (1893-1984) was a professor who also went into exile in the U.S. He received the Cervantes Prize in 1976. His work, conceived as a unified whole, is best exemplified by Cántico, a collection that celebrates the joy of existence, the perfection of nature, and everyday objects.

Luis Cernuda: Exploring Desire and the Self

Luis Cernuda (1902-1963) worked as a professor in Madrid after his parents’ death. He compiled his pre-war poetry in La realidad y el deseo, which includes both intimate, personal poems and those with Surrealist influences. Los placeres prohibidos, written in free verse, explores the boundaries of love, desire, and pleasure.

Vicente Aleixandre: From Love and Nature to the Solitary Man

Vicente Aleixandre (1898-1984) received the National Literature Prize in 1934 for La destrucción o el amor. His poetry can be divided into two main themes:

  • Love, Nature, and Social Rejection: Works like Espadas como labios (1932), La destrucción o el amor (1935), and Sombra del paraíso (1944) explore these themes.
  • The Solitary Man: Historia del corazón (1954) reflects on the human condition and the individual’s place in the world.

Beyond Poetry: Prose and Drama

The Generation of ’27 also excelled in prose genres like essays and drama. Alberti and Lorca were particularly notable in theater. Lorca’s plays, characterized by intense lyricism and symbolic characters, often explore themes of frustration, love, and death. Some of his most famous dramas include Bodas de sangre (1932), Yerma (1934), and La casa de Bernarda Alba (1936).

A Lasting Legacy

The Generation of ’27 left an undeniable mark on Spanish literature. Their innovative approaches to poetry, their engagement with social and political issues, and their exploration of universal human themes continue to inspire and resonate with readers today.