Spanish Generation of ’27: Poets, Themes, and Evolution
Creationism and Symbolism in Poetry
Creationists recovered the symbolism intended to create their own reality in the poem. The poet was conceived as a being with divine potential who could create worlds with his poetry. Influenced by Cubism, Huidobro used two main resources:
- The overlap of images, like Cubism.
- The creation of rhythm through the typographical arrangement of the poem on the page, the position, and careful selection of words.
The Generation of ’27
In the 1920s, a unique group of poets lived in a common cultural context.
Generational Traits
The birth of these poets around similar dates, their companionship, cultural exchange, and mutual influence led to the spread of the expression “Generation of ’27.” In 1927, to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Góngora’s death, a ceremony was held at the University of Seville, which brought together most of the group’s members. Important magazines were published, as well as significant books like Gypsy Ballads (Lorca).
Among the most prominent poets of the group are: Pedro Salinas, Jorge Guillén, Gerardo Diego, Federico García Lorca, Rafael Alberti, Vicente Aleixandre, Luis Cernuda, Emilio Prados, Manuel Altolaguirre, and Dámaso Alonso.
Avant-garde and Tradition
The poets of the Generation of ’27 valued the past and rescued authors and styles, producing a synthesis of modernism and tradition. From the Spanish literary past, they rescued traditional poetry forms, a trend called “neopopularismo.” They paid special attention to Golden Age poetry, particularly Góngora, but also Garcilaso, Lope de Vega, and Quevedo. From 19th-century poetry, they were influenced by the intimacy of Bécquer, Unamuno, and Machado, and established a direct relationship with symbolist poetry.
Their stay in many European countries allowed them to meet the great avant-garde poets. They incorporated different themes and resources, although they did not opt for any one in particular.
Teachers
Juan Ramón Jiménez: He was a literary guide in the initiation of many of them. His pure poetry was the clearest poetic referent in the Spanish landscape, especially after his book Diary of a Newlywed Poet.
José Ortega y Gasset: Ortega’s influence was ideological and theoretical.
Themes and Forms of the Generation of ’27
The main themes of humanity—love, the universe, destiny, death—populate the works of the poets of the Generation of ’27, as well as a sense of freedom.
The Town: Appears linked to a futuristic vision, imbued with optimism.
Love: Plenitude is represented as individual, with a sense of freedom.
The Arts: The factory became a poetic creation.
Nature: Sometimes conceived as an environment, in others it becomes part of the poetic.
The poets of the Generation of ’27 cultivated the image and the visionary image, relating objects that awaken emotions. These writers combined traditional metric forms with free verse and the achievement of rhythm through the placement of words in the poem.
Stages in the Generation of ’27
1st Stage (until 1929): Youth stage, the group was formed to coincide with the splendor of the avant-garde. They cultivated pure poetry.
2nd Stage (1929-1936): In 1929, some, like Lorca and Alberti, suffered personal crises, and surrealism translated their influence in some way. Pablo Neruda claimed a “foul” poetry, committed, that was not ideal beauty but communication.
3rd Stage (since 1939): The Generation of ’27 was tragically disbanded as a group. Lorca was assassinated, some went into exile, and others stayed in Spain. These poets continued the theme of commitment but followed different paths.