20th Century Spanish Literature: From Novecentismo to the Generation of ’27
20th Century Spanish Literature
Novecentismo
The Novecentismo movement consisted of writers who distanced themselves from the bohemian lifestyle of the late 19th century and possessed rigorous intellectual training. They championed meticulous craftsmanship and aesthetic pleasure in art, favoring essays and intellectual pursuits. Notable novelists within this movement include Ramon Perez de Ayala and Gabriel Miro. Overall, Novecentismo represented a minority, elite literary style.
Jose Ortega y Gasset (1883-1955)
A prominent figure in Spanish philosophy, Ortega y Gasset earned a degree in philosophy and furthered his studies at various German universities. He founded the magazine “Revista de Occidente,” introducing new artistic and philosophical trends to Spain. His influential theories, encompassing philosophy, sociology, painting, and literature, were presented in essays and articles known for their elegance and clarity. Key works include “Invertebrate Spain” (1921), “The Dehumanization of Art” (1935), and “The Revolt of the Masses” (1930).
Avant-Garde Movements: Futurism, Expressionism, and Cubism
These avant-garde movements, often referred to as “isms,” played a significant role in the development of the arts. Expressionism emphasized the artist’s subjectivity as essential for perceiving the inner tensions within objects or individuals, often employing image distortion to reflect the characters’ emotional states. Futurism, with its first manifesto published by Marinetti, celebrated dynamism, speed, technology, and violence.
Dadaism
Founded by Tristan Tzara in Zurich in 1916, Dadaism presented radical proposals that extended beyond art. It aimed to “liberate” fantasy by embracing the childlike world of playfulness, spontaneity, incoherence, and absurdity.
Surrealism
Surrealism, a revolutionary art movement, sought to transform life itself. Andre Breton, its founder, drew inspiration from Freud’s dream theories and advocated for the total liberation of man and artistic creation. The movement emphasized the importance of the subconscious, free from reason and constraints, as the source of artistic expression. The first Surrealist Manifesto, published in 1924, outlined these principles.
Ultraismo, Creationism, and Surrealism in Spain
The Ultraismo movement in Spain advocated for a clear separation of literature from sentimentality. Its visual poems, resembling calligrams, aimed for autonomy, as expressed by Huidobro: “Make a poem as nature makes a tree.” Surrealism exerted a significant influence on Spanish literature, from Gomez de la Serna to the entire Generation of ’27, and remained present until the end of the Spanish Civil War.
Ramon Gomez de la Serna
A key figure in Spanish modernism, Ramon Gomez de la Serna embraced a vitalistic attitude that led him to constantly challenge social conventions. He promoted avant-garde art through the magazine “Prometeo,” which he directed from 1908 to 1912, and his renowned gatherings at the Cafe Pombo. His experimental works included “greguerias,” witty aphorisms that offered surprising insights into reality, often through metaphors.
Generation of ’27
The Generation of ’27 was a group of Spanish poets who sought to renew poetic language. They often employed free verse and placed great importance on metaphors. Their influences were diverse, ranging from traditional and popular literature (ballads) to cultured works (Manrique, Garcilaso), modernism, and avant-garde movements. Juan Ramon Jimenez and Ortega y Gasset’s concept of “dehumanization of art” significantly impacted their style. Key characteristics of their poetry include intellectualism, hermeticism, a focus on a minority audience, a desire for originality, and the self-sufficiency of art.
The evolution of the Generation of ’27 can be divided into two phases: the first, from 1927 to 1936, shows the influence of Juan Ramon Jimenez and pure poetry, with a focus on aesthetics and avant-garde elements; the second, from 1936 to 1939, marks a shift towards rehumanization and the influence of surrealism. After the Spanish Civil War, many poets of this generation went into exile.
Damaso Alonso
Born in Madrid, Damaso Alonso was a professor of language and literature at various universities in Europe and North America. He served as Professor of Romance Philology in Madrid, director of the Royal Spanish Academy, and received the Cervantes Prize. His poetry evolved from the aesthetics of the Generation of ’27, initially influenced by the pure poetry of Gongora (evident in works like “Poemas puros, poemillas de la ciudad, El viento y el verso”), to a more existential style, as seen in his book “Hijos de la ira.”
Gerardo Diego (1896-1987)
Born in Santander, Gerardo Diego won the National Prize for Literature in 1925 for his humanistic lyrics, sharing the award with Rafael Alberti. He was a member of the Royal Spanish Academy and, in 1979, shared the Cervantes Prize with Jorge Luis Borges. His poetry is characterized by its variety of forms and themes, reflecting the influence of avant-garde movements that sought to create rather than imitate reality, using images without clear references. Notable works include “Imagen” and “Manual de espumas.” He also wrote human-centered poetry, such as the collection “Soria,” with “Alondra de verdad” being a particularly captivating piece.
Vicente Aleixandre (1898-1984)
Born in Seville and raised in Malaga, Vicente Aleixandre moved to Madrid in 1909, where he remained after the Spanish Civil War. His home became a gathering place for young poets. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. Aleixandre viewed poetry as a means of communication between human beings. His work is characterized by free verse, abundant metaphors and images influenced by surrealism, and can be divided into two stages: the pure poetry phase and the human phase.
The pure poetry phase is marked by pessimism and a yearning to return to nature, as seen in works like “La destruccion o el amor” and “Sombra del paraiso.” In the human phase, a more positive outlook emerges, leading to his later philosophical works, such as “Historia del corazon” and “Poemas de la consumacion,” which explore themes of knowledge and dialogue. His poems are known for their complexity and depth.