20th-Century Spanish Poetry: From Modernism to Today
20th-Century Spanish Poetry
From Modernism to Today
The Lyric Since 1939
Modernism and the Generation of ’98
The late 19th and early 20th centuries were turbulent times. Political instability in Spain, culminating in the Civil War (1939), was marked by events such as the reign of Amadeo I, the First Republic, the Bourbon Restoration, the Disaster of ’98, the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera, and the Second Republic. Europe faced World War I (1914) and the Russian Revolution (1917).
This period saw rural migration to Spanish cities, a growing urban proletariat, and the rise of labor unions. The bourgeoisie gained power, leading to social class conflicts.
Intellectuals and artists responded to this crisis in various ways. In Spain, three main positions emerged: Modernism, the Generation of ’98, and Krausism.
Modernism
Modernist authors pursued literary renewal, focusing on themes of romantic angst, love, eroticism, exoticism, cosmopolitanism, symbolism, myth, indigenous culture, and the occult. Poetic language was renewed through the use of color, sound effects, and unusual vocabulary. Metric innovations included Alexandrine, hendecasyllable, dodecasyllabic, and octosyllabic verses. The sonnet, with alternating consonant and assonant rhyme, was favored.
Originating in Latin America with Rubén Darío (Azul…, Profane Prose, Songs of Life and Hope), Modernism had two branches: aesthetic and intimate/reflective. The latter, concerned with existential and intimate issues, prevailed in Spain with authors like Ramón Jiménez, Valle-Inclán, and the Machado brothers.
The Generation of ’98
This group’s works revolved around two problems: the question of Spain and existential concerns. They criticized Spain’s backwardness but believed its intellectual citizens could bring about change. They also explored the meaning of life, human destiny, and religious beliefs, influenced by philosophers like Nietzsche. Key authors include Miguel de Unamuno, Pío Baroja, Azorín, Antonio Machado, and Ramón del Valle-Inclán.
The Avant-Garde and the Generation of ’27
The Avant-Garde in Spain
Several avant-garde movements—Futurism, Cubism, Dadaism, Surrealism, Ultraism, and Creationism—sought to create art that moved away from imitating reality. Those most influential on the Generation of ’27 were:
- Futurism, with its focus on technology, influenced Pedro Salinas (Underwood Girls) and Rafael Alberti.
- Creationism, led by Gerardo Diego (Manual of Foam).
- Surrealism, which aimed to unleash creativity through techniques like automatic writing, influenced Federico García Lorca (Poet in New York).
Ramón Gómez de la Serna, creator of the greguería (a humorous metaphor), was also important.
The Generation of ’27
This exceptional group of poets emerged in the 1920s. The year 1927 marked the third anniversary of Góngora’s death and the publication of key works like Lorca’s Gypsy Ballads. Prominent poets include Pedro Salinas, Jorge Guillén, Federico García Lorca, Rafael Alberti, Dámaso Alonso, Luis Cernuda, and Vicente Aleixandre. Juan Ramón Jiménez and José Ortega y Gasset were influential figures, poetically and ideologically, respectively.
The Generation of ’27 can be divided into three stages:
- Up to 1927: Early avant-garde influence and Juan Ramón Jiménez’s guidance towards pure poetry.
- 1927–Civil War: A process of re-humanization.
- Post-Civil War: Lorca’s death in 1936 and the exile of many poets led to the group’s dispersal.
This group blended tradition and avant-garde, the cultured and the popular. They admired classics like Góngora while embracing avant-garde experimentation. Their works explored fundamental human themes.
Poetry of the 1940s
The Civil War marked a rupture in poetry. The Generation of ’36 split into two groups:
- Poetry of rootedness: Poets like Leopoldo Panero, Luis Rosales, and Luis Felipe Vivanco expressed religious sentiment and focused on themes of God, nature, love, and family, publishing in journals like Escorial.
- Poetry of uprootedness: Emerging in 1944, this group, including Dámaso Alonso and Eugenio de Nora, expressed dissatisfaction with the world. Their poetry was socially engaged, prioritizing content over form.
- Poetry of exile: Exiled poets like Rafael Alberti and Pedro Salinas continued writing abroad, expressing views they couldn’t in Spain.
Social Poetry of the 1950s
This poetry addressed human problems, injustice, and misery. It served as a tool for social denunciation and commitment, using accessible language. Influenced by Antonio Machado, key figures include Gabriel Celaya, whose work shifted from pre-war publications like Marea del silencio to socially concerned poetry like Cantos a la materia.
Poetry of the 1960s
Form gained importance over content. Poets explored diverse human subjects beyond social issues. Ángel González, a representative of this period, focused on love, publishing works like Áspero mundo (1961), reflecting war memories, and Palabra sobre palabra, a departure with its focus on love. He received the Prince of Asturias Award.
Poetry of the 1970s
Poets turned away from social issues, looking to the Generation of ’27, particularly Lorca’s surrealism. They rejected realism, exploring themes like love and skepticism. Manuel Vázquez Montalbán, with works like Educación sentimental and Praga, constantly evolved in themes, movements, and forms. Notable works include Versos a la muerte de mi tía Daniela and La sombra que florece de las muchachas.
Poetry from the 1980s to Today
This period is characterized by:
- Geographical dispersion of authors.
- Numerous poetry competitions, leading to a high volume of authors and publications.
- Respect for literary tradition and continuity of certain trends.
- Pluralism in poetry.
- Narrative and colloquial poems, often set in urban environments.
- Autobiographical elements, humor, and irony.
Antonio Gala, a prominent contemporary author, has cultivated poetry, fiction, and drama. His poetry often explores love in its various forms, as seen in works like Córdoba and Poemas de amor.