Miguel Hernández: Social Commitment and Poetic Evolution
Miguel Hernández: Social and Political Commitment
Poetic Career and Influences
Miguel Hernández, though often associated with the Generation of ’36 (alongside Luis Rosales), also shares strong connections with the Generation of ’27, particularly with Vicente Aleixandre. His work acts as a bridge between these two significant literary movements.
Attitudes in Spanish Contemporary Poetry
Hernández’s poetry reflects three key attitudes prevalent in Spanish contemporary poetry:
- Neogongorine Avant-Garde: Exemplified in works like “Proficient in moons.”
- Subjective and Loving Poetry: Seen in “The ray that continues.”
- Social Poetry: Prominently featured in “Wind of the people” and “Songbook and Ballads of Absences.”
Focus on Social and Political Poetry
His dedication to Vicente Aleixandre in “Wind from the People” signifies a transition from the personal to the collective. This poem embodies the social spirit, where the poet’s anxieties merge with the people’s struggles, famously stating, “Poets are the people’s wind.”
Hernández believed, “Poetry is born from the people, and the poet is merely the interpreter of their feeling.” This reflects a profound sense of solidarity. His worldview embraced the fight for love, justice, and freedom, championing human and social values. “Wind of the People” and “Stalks” are representative of his political and social engagement.
These works reveal a desire to transform society, using poetry as a testament and denunciation of social injustice.
“Impure Poetry” and Social Concerns
In Madrid, Hernández met Pablo Neruda, who introduced a revolutionary aesthetic: “impure poetry.” This approach embraced diverse influences and allowed poets to channel personal pain and joy into their lyrical material. Hernández adopted this style in “The Ray That Does Not Stop” and “Wind of the People,” transforming his experiences of love, life, and hardship into powerful verse.
This new poetic attitude was not merely aesthetic but deeply rooted in the political climate. Hernández’s firsthand experience of labor and his growing awareness of social responsibility led him to denounce the plight of “Yuntero children.”
Influenced by Marxist ideas and Pablo Neruda, Hernández’s ideological evolution led him to fight on the Republican side during the Spanish Civil War. He grappled with the internal conflict between rejecting war and the necessity of achieving victory.
Key Works and Themes
- “Wind of the People” (1937): This collection features poems that speak for the people, including “Child Yuntero” and “Men in Olive.” It is characterized by its energetic and combative tone.
- “The Man Lurking”: In this work, a weary poet emerges, reflecting the toll of senseless deaths, imprisonment, and hatred. Hunger becomes a central theme, alongside solidarity with the poor. Spain is portrayed as a life-giving mother.
- “Songbook and Ballads of Absences”: This collection revisits themes of war and hunger, notably featuring the poignant “Nanas de la cebolla.”