Spanish Literature: 1930s to 1970s – Trends and Key Poets
Spanish Literature: 1930s to 1970s
The 1930s: Rehumanization and Commitment
In the 1930s, avant-garde experimentation gave way to the rehumanization of literature, with writers taking on a greater commitment as intellectuals. The theme of death was no longer treated as an abstract concept but as the death of a loved one, as seen in Federico García Lorca’s Lament for Ignacio Sánchez Mejías. Literature became increasingly popular. New trends in poetry emerged, influenced by Pablo Neruda, who impacted poets like Rafael Alberti and Miguel Hernández. This generation of 1936 included Luis Rosales and Luis Vivanco, poets who bridged the gap between the Generation of ’27 and the Generation of ’36. Key themes were life, love, and death. For example, Lorca’s Gypsy Ballads.
Key Periods and Works of Miguel Hernández
- Early Compositions: Imitation and reevaluation of Góngora’s poetry.
- Love Poetry: The Unceasing Lightning reflects the poet’s loving experience.
- Poetry of Commitment: Wind of the People denounces social injustice.
- Final Years in Prison: Most of his works were written during this period.
The 1940s: Official Poetry and Existentialism
Official poetry focused on love, religion, and the resurgence of Hispanidad, preferring myth and closed verse. Two key magazines were El Escorial, which practiced religious and official poetry, and Garcilaso, which focused on official trends. Poets associated with El Escorial wrote rooted poetry with an existential attitude, expressing existential angst and a sense of failure. Dámaso Alonso initiated this trend with Children of Wrath, using irregular verse without rhyme and exploring themes of death and solitude before God.
The 1950s: Social Poetry and Protest
The rehumanization process led to poetry of complaint and social commitment. Poets aimed for realism, targeting a wider audience. Blas de Otero stood out with his existentialism and protest against a distant God, as seen in his poem Earth. His existentialism had a religious character but was not godless. Strengthen Awareness is another significant work. Other poets, like José Gabriel Celaya, used a simple, colloquial tone and everyday language. Notable works include Celaya’s The Song is About Me and Iberians.
The 1960s: Personal Themes and Eroticism
The late 1950s saw the emergence of a new anthology, Twenty Years of Spanish Poetry. Themes included time, the transience of life, sorrow, love, friendship, and poetic creation (metapoetry). Interest shifted from the collective to the personal. Eroticism and irrationalism were recovered. Poets used traditional metrics to reach mainstream audiences.
The 1970s: Urban Culture and Metapoetry
The realism of the 1950s was abandoned, as poetry was no longer seen as an instrument to combat injustices. Notable poets included Guillermo Carnero, Ana María Moix, and Félix de Azúa. Themes revolved around urban culture, exoticism, beauty, and metapoetry.