The Generation of ’27: Spanish Literary Renewal
The Generation of ’27
The Generation of ’27 refers to a group of Spanish poets who revitalized poetic language. They rejected Modernist sentimentality and blended traditional poetry with avant-garde techniques. Tied to the Residencia de Estudiantes, they drew inspiration from Juan Ramón Jiménez, Ramón Gómez de la Serna, and the European avant-garde.
Key Figures
Prominent poets of the Generation of ’27 include:
- Jorge Guillén
- Pedro Salinas
- Dámaso Alonso
- Gerardo Diego
- Federico García Lorca
- Rafael Alberti
- Luis Cernuda
- Vicente Aleixandre
Characteristics of ’27 Poetry
’27 poetry is often described as “dehumanized” due to its focus on objects of modernity and fragmented reality rather than human feelings or stories.
Poetic Styles
- Pure Poetry: Stripped of sentimentality and personal history, this style emphasizes musicality and suggestion. Its main theme is the celebration of the universe.
- Avant-Garde: Use of images, spaces, and objects of the modern era (e.g., cars, electricity).
- Neogongorismo: Revival of Luis de Góngora’s style, seen as a precursor to pure poetry and modern metaphor.
- Neopopularismo: Imitation of traditional songs and ballads of the 15th and 16th centuries, valued for their simple expressiveness and irrational imagery.
- Surrealism: Exploration of images and insights from the subconscious, featuring irrational imagery, unconventional syntax, and free-flowing words.
Evolution of the Generation of ’27
Two main stages can be identified:
- Pure and Dehumanized Poetry: Focus on innovation, rejection of sentimentality, and synthesis of tradition and avant-garde.
- Rehumanized Poetry:
- Political Rehumanization: Artists engaged with political concerns.
- Lyrical Rehumanization: Return of feeling, emotion, and the personal voice of the poet.
- Surrealist Rehumanization: Incorporation of the subconscious.
Key Poets and Works
Jorge Guillén (1893-1984)
The main representative of pure poetry. Cántico celebrates the beauty of the universe. Later works like Clamor and Homenaje reflect the imperfections and conflicts of the world.
Dámaso Alonso
A scholar of Góngora. Hijos de la ira expresses the chaos and anguish of the post-war period.
Pedro Salinas
Early works lean towards pure poetry and Cubism. Later works like La voz a ti debida and Razón de amor reflect the rehumanization of the 1930s, exploring the merging of the poet’s self with the beloved.
Gerardo Diego
Introduced avant-garde poetry to Spain. Represented Creationism. Influenced by Neogongorismo and traditional poetry.
Federico García Lorca
Lived at the Residencia de Estudiantes. Early works blend Modernism and avant-garde. Romancero gitano reflects Andalusian folklore and avant-garde imagery. Llanto por Ignacio Sánchez Mejías is an elegy for a bullfighter friend. Poeta en Nueva York protests against modern civilization. Founded the theater company La Barraca. Wrote plays like Bodas de sangre, Yerma, and La casa de Bernarda Alba.
Vicente Aleixandre
Known for free verse, metaphors, and visionary imagery. Works include La destrucción o el amor and Sombra del paraíso.
Luis Cernuda
Explored themes of love, loneliness, and the search for wholeness in a world that denies ideals. Works collected under the title La realidad y el deseo.
Rafael Alberti
Marinero en tierra reflects Neopopularismo. Cal y canto pays homage to Góngora. Sobre los ángeles is surrealist. Later works are politically engaged.
Miguel Hernández
Difficult to classify. Some place him with the Generation of ’27, others with the Generation of ’36. Perito en lunas uses a Neogongorismo style. El rayo que no cesa features love sonnets and an elegy. Later works are war poetry.
Literary Techniques
Modalizers
Words and expressions that reflect the author’s perspective and seek to persuade the reader. Examples include evaluative nouns, adjectives, adverbs, modal verbs, and expressions indicating truth, obligation, desire, or convenience.
Connectors
Words or phrases that establish logical relationships between ideas.
Defensive Arguments
- Concession: Tentatively accepting an opposing view before rejecting it.
- Refutation: Demonstrating the falsity of an opposing idea.
Post-War Literature (1940-1950)
Historical Context
Marked by the Spanish Civil War and its consequences, including widespread suffering, poverty, and the exile of many intellectuals. The dictatorial regime suppressed freedoms.
Literary Trends
- Conservative Literature: Supported the ideals of the regime, focusing on heroic war themes, the “new Spain,” and timeless themes like love, religion, and family.
- Rehumanizing Literature: Expressed the anguish of the post-war period and later denounced social injustices and advocated for change.
Poetry
- Rooted Poetry: Optimistic view of reality, focusing on themes like homeland, religion, and family. Used classical forms like the sonnet.
- Uprooted Poetry: Expressed despair and anguish, exploring themes of life’s meaning and suffering. Used both traditional and free verse.
- Social Poetry (1950s): Denounced social injustice and advocated for change. Free verse became predominant.
Novel
- Existential Novel (1940s): Pessimistic view of reality, reflecting the emptiness and distress of the post-war period. Characters are often loners and misfits.
- Social Novel (1950s): Depicted social problems and conflicts using simple language and an objective narrator.
Theater
- Theater of Evasion: Aimed to entertain the bourgeoisie.
- Theater of Humor: Presented absurd situations to highlight human contradictions.
- Theater of Witness and Social Commitment: Addressed social problems and advocated for change.
Literature in Exile
Many writers went into exile during or after the Civil War, including Juan Ramón Jiménez, León Felipe, Pedro Salinas, Jorge Guillén, Rafael Alberti, Luis Cernuda, Alejandro Casona, Ramón J. Sender, and Francisco Ayala.