Spanish Literary Renewal: Narrative Techniques of the Sixties
The Sixties: Social Context and Literary Characteristics
Emerging revolutionary movements had a huge echo in Western society and dazzled youth. Many protagonists of these events became myths of renewal or revolution: Martin Luther King, Che Guevara, and Mao Tse Tung.
A revolution of manners caused new forms of life and behavior, including sexual liberation and pacifism. These rebellious attitudes translated into outward signs:
- Hippy clothing
- Miniskirts
- Jeans
- Long hair
- Drugs
In Spain, there was a relaxation of censorship. Foreign contact facilitated the understanding of emerging social attitudes and European and American cultural and ideological movements. Literary influences from European and American novels emerged, focusing on narrative techniques and an objective view of reality.
1. New Narrative Paths
Since 1960, a weariness of realism began to be expressed, leading to the destruction of social realism through a new conception of narrative forms. This period is highlighted by an ironic language aimed at the society of the time. Innovative techniques were used, such as:
- Alternation of objective and subjective narration
- The omniscient and critical narrator
- Abundant interior monologues
- Language full of jargon
- Educated metaphors and references to mythology
2. Renewal by the First Post-War Generation
Novelists of the first post-war generation helped explore new narrative forms:
Camilo José Cela
Cela continued his quest for renewal, expanding the interior monologue with diverse content, often lacking punctuation and adopting a poetic rhythm. Key works include San Camilo, 1936 and Office of Darkness.
Miguel Delibes
Delibes introduced Five Hours with Mario, a long soliloquy where the protagonist recalls a disorderly life and an obsession. Also notable is Parable of a Shipwreck.
Torrente Ballester
Ballester grew tired of realism and moved toward the imaginative. The Leaking J.B. Saga is a tribute to experimentalism and a masterful parody of itself.
3. Novelists of the Mid-Century Generation
Highlights of this generation:
Juan Benet
In his book Return to the Region, Benet championed a radically new narrative. He rarely used dialogue, favoring long monologues from different voices. The text is a continuous meditation.
Juan Marsé
His novels reflect the types and environments of Barcelona’s slums. Last Evenings with Teresa satirizes the Catalan bourgeoisie, utilizing interior monologue, parody, and humor. The Dark History of Prima Montse and If They Tell You I Fell signify Marsé’s full maturity in managing new narrative forms.
Juan Goytisolo
Signs of Identity gathers new techniques such as perspective changes, time jumps, multiple narrative voices, and interior monologues. He also wrote Juan sin Tierra and Makbara.
Luis Goytisolo
In the tetralogy titled Antagony, he employed experimental novel resources, mixing autobiography with literary and cultural references.
Francisco Umbral
His works blend fiction, autobiography, journalism, and essay. Key works include Ballad of Thugs, Nymphs, and Madrid Trilogy.