Generation of ’27: A Poetic Revolution in Spain
1 .- Application of the concept of generation
Despite the precautions to be taken, can be considered as a compact group varieties. The group consists of Pedro Salinas, Jorge Guillén, Gerardo Diego, Damaso Alonso, Vicente Aleixandre, Federico García Lorca, Luis Cernuda and Rafael Alberti. Some critics also include the Malaga Emilio Prados and Manuel Altolaguirre. These ten are the ones most frequently cited, but this leaves out of place to many others (Hinojosa, Garfias, Chabás …) which, for various reasons, have been relegated to a second term.
- All are born in a period of less than 15 years: from 1891 (Salinas) to 1905 (Altolaguirre).
- Such intellectual training: most college students, some become teachers. Almost all passed through the Residencia de Estudiantes.
- The generational event that unites them was to celebrate the tercentenary of the death of Gongora. They are opposed to those who did not recognize the talent of Gongora. Held a tribute at the Athenaeum Seville, invited by Ignacio Sánchez Mejías. Collaborate in the same journals (Journal of the West Coast). From 1920-1936 their lives are very close.
- There was no leader.
- Not rise up against anything, they are very respectful of the Spanish literary tradition, in fact, this data prevents curdling as the “avant-garde generation, since they are so cutting edge and traditional.
- There is no single style, however, in these standards is the desire to renew the poetic language and sometimes coincide in their path, but each has a personal style. For all the poetry is very serious, you have to work well, always looking for conceptual and formal perfection. Gongora is why the common model. It also tracks a series of contacts between them:
- -Interest in the most appropriate use of form and language.
- “Disdain for sentimentality and rhetoric.
- -Rejection of any particular lexicon as valid in itself.
- “Equality in the concept of poetry as a mystery.
Damaso Alonso highlights other points of connection: “contemporaneity, companionship, similar reaction to external exciting.” In any case, would support the idea Petersen reform rather than give the name of Generation of ’27.
With regard to the characteristics of the generation, speaks of two phases:
Until 1927:
Triple influence:
-Of ultraism: link distant elements; ennoblement of humor.
“Cubism: assimilate the technique, hatred and sentimental anecdote.
“Paul Valéry: asepsis, dehumanization.
From 1927:
“human temperature increase,” progressive “humanization.”
2 .- Aesthetic Affinities
In the 27 authors is a significant tendency to balance the synthesis between opposites, even within the same author:
- Among the intellectual and sentimental. The excitement tends to be restrained by the intellect. They prefer intelligence, feeling and sensitivity to intellectualism. It is observed well in Salinas.
- From a romantic conception of art and a classic design. Lorca was a poet said that if by the grace of God (or the devil) “was no less” by the grace of technique and effort.
- Among the art for minorities and majorities. Alternate the secrecy and clarity, the cultured and the popular. There was a noticeable step in the “I” to “us.”
- Between the universal and Spanish, among the influences of European poetry of the moment (surrealism) and Spanish poetry of the best ever. They feel great appeal of Spanish folk poetry: songbooks, ballads …
3.-Stages in the evolution
The most accepted classification is that of Lazarus
3.1. Until 1927
Becquer and the influence of Modernism.
Soon appear the first avant-garde. At the same time and under the influence of Juan Ramon, are geared toward “pure poetry.” This poem is quite tight and cold. Also the “human” influence them, especially through the popular lyric. The thirst for perfection leads to formal classicism.
3.2. From 1927 to the Civil War
There seems to be somewhat tired of pure formalism. A process of rehumanization (more noticeable in some authors, but present in all). There are early surrealist works (radically opposed to pure poetry). First pass new songs, most human: love, desire for fulfillment, frustration, social or existential concerns … Nace Green Horse magazine for poetry, of Palo Neruda (1935), showing the “Manifesto for a poetry without purity.”
3.3. After the war
Lorca died in 1936. The group dispersed:
A) In exile
Clamor writes Guillén, a work that departs from pure poetry. It appears the issue of the lost homeland.
b) In Spain there are only D. Alonso and V. Aleixandre., making anguished poetry, existential (Hijos de la ira, 1944).