The 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 efforts of liberal institutions and the impact of Cubism and Surrealism on painting and literature.
The Literary Scene
By 1920, Modernism and the Generation of ’98 were no longer the dominant artistic movements. Several key literary groups emerged:
Generation of ’14
Led by José Ortega y Gasset, this group reflected on the realities of Spanish society.
Avant-Garde Movements
These movements, championed by figures like Vicente Huidobro, viewed art as a game of chance guided by originality and creative freedom.
Generation of ’27
This influential group of poets and writers is a central focus of the Silver Age.
Key Trends within the Generation of ’27
Neopopularismo
This trend drew inspiration from oral traditions and folk culture. A prime example is Federico García Lorca’s “Gypsy Ballads,” which utilizes traditional octosyllabic verse with assonance, rhyme, and parallelism.
Avant-Garde
Initially influenced by Creationism and later by Surrealism, this trend embraced experimentation and innovation. Gerardo Diego’s “Manual of Foam” exemplifies Creationism, while Lorca’s “Poet in New York” showcases Surrealism. These works are characterized by fragmented syntax, unconventional imagery, and the elimination of punctuation.
Pure Poetry
This style sought to express the fullness of the present moment, devoid of melancholy.
Surrealism
Surrealism, the most significant of the avant-garde movements, had a profound impact on the Generation of ’27.
Evolution of the Generation of ’27
The evolution of the Generation of ’27 can be divided into three stages:
Stage of Initiation (1920-1927)
This period saw the publication of the first works by the poets of ’27, with Gerardo Diego among the youngest.
Stage of Maturity (1928-1936)
Considered the golden age of the group, this stage witnessed a shift from Creationism to Surrealism, exemplified by works like “Passion of the Earth.” A growing social commitment also emerged, as seen in Rafael Alberti’s “Poet in the Street” (1936).
Stage of Disintegration (1936-onward)
Beginning with the Spanish Civil War, this stage saw the dispersal of the group. Lorca’s assassination in Granada marked a tragic loss. The experiences of war and exile profoundly influenced the remaining poets, leading to a focus on the fundamental problems of human existence.
The Generation of ’27: Poets and Characteristics
The Generation of ’27 was a group of friends with shared interests, including prominent poets like Federico García Lorca, Pedro Salinas, Vicente Aleixandre, and Emilio Prados. Essayists and novelists also contributed to this literary circle. A defining characteristic of the group was their pursuit of balance between tradition and originality, and between popular and high culture. They embraced avant-garde innovations while valuing creative freedom and acknowledging literary tradition.
Themes of the Generation of ’27
The poets of ’27 explored universal themes such as love, fulfillment, death, and loneliness, while also introducing new themes like playful inconsequentiality and social concern.
Love
Poets like Aleixandre, Cernuda, and Pedro Salinas offered a passionate vision of love, blending pleasure and pain.
Fulfillment
Jorge Guillen expressed the theme of fulfillment in his work “Cántico,” while Cernuda explored themes of loneliness and rootlessness.
Death
Death was a recurring theme, notably in Lorca’s elegy “Lament for Ignacio Sánchez Mejías,” dedicated to a bullfighter who died in 1935.
A unifying element in their work is the sense of frustrated love and tragic destiny, often embodied in the figure of the outsider struggling to integrate into a hostile society.
The Work of Federico García Lorca
Lorca’s work encompasses both poetry and drama, and can be divided into three stages:
Neopopularist Stage (1921-1928)
In this stage, Lorca embraced Andalusian popular culture, imitating the metrics and styles of traditional songs and ballads, as seen in “Gypsy Ballads.” His early dramatic works, such as “The Shoemaker’s Prodigious Wife,” also recreate the atmosphere of Andalusia.
Surrealist Stage (1929-1932)
The influence of Surrealism is evident in “Poet in New York.” Lorca also wrote surrealist plays during this period, such as “The Public.”
Stage of Balance between Tradition and Modernism (1932-1936)
This stage saw the creation of Lorca’s major dramatic works, including “Blood Wedding.” He also wrote poetry collections like “Sonnets of Dark Love.” “Lament for Ignacio Sánchez Mejías” is a key work from this period.
The Avant-Garde
The avant-garde encompassed a set of artistic movements, known as “isms,” that flourished in Europe and America during the first third of the 20th century. These movements championed a new conception of art.
Futurism
Founded by Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, Futurism celebrated progress and technology.
Dadaism
Created by Tristan Tzara, Dadaism expressed a vehement rejection of logic.
Surrealism
Originating in France with André Breton as its leading figure, Surrealism had a significant impact in Spain.
Ultraism
This Latin American movement also contributed to the avant-garde spirit of the time.