Spanish Literature: Post-War to 1970s – Key Authors & Movements
Spanish Literature: Post-War to 1970s
1940s: Literature of Impoverishment and Censorship
Poetry: The death or exile of major writers before the war impoverished the literature of this period. Censorship affected all areas of society, especially literature. Writers, according to their political positions, tried to express their feelings (life, death, longing, love) in traditional or free verse. Notable authors include Damaso Alonso, whose book “Children of Wrath” (1944) is considered an example of uprooted poetry. Other authors include Victoriano Cremer. Rooted poetry, with patriotic, religious, and loving themes, was written by Luis Rosales and Dionisio Ridruejo, who wrote for the magazine “El Escorial”.
Narrative: This was the most prominent literary genre. Writers were divided into two groups: those in exile, unaware of censorship, focused on the civil war and its consequences, publishing in Latin America with diverse styles. Examples include Ramos, author of “Requiem for a Spanish Farmer,” Arthur Barea, and Rosa Chacel. Those who remained in Spain initially wrote triumphalist novels, which later shifted to more thoughtful and existential themes. Notable authors include Camilo Jose Cela and Carmen Laforet.
Theater: Plays written by authors in Spain abandoned avant-garde styles, favoring Golden Age works. Escapist theater, such as high comedy and sketches, became popular. Notable authors include Jacinto Benavente and Edgar Neville.
1950s: Social Realism and the Pursuit of Freedom
Authors reflected the surrounding world, using social realism to denounce the evils of the time in literature, drama, painting, and cinema.
Poetry: The main representatives were Blas de Otero and Gabriel Celaya, who used free verse. Their poetry was considered an instrument to pursue freedom and well-being over beauty.
Novel: After publications like “The Way” (1950), “The Spirit” (1951), and “La Noria” (1951), characters became collective, focusing on social reporting. The style was simple and expressive. Other authors include Rafael Sanchez Ferlosio and Carmen Martin Gaite.
Theater: Comedy and drama shifted away from classical theater. Miguel Mihura’s “Three Top Hats” (1952) used absurd humor to mock high society. Social drama also emerged with authors like Antonio Buero Vallejo.
1960s: Intimate Poetry and Narrative Renovation
Poetry: This period was marked by the “Children of War” generation. Their poetry featured wartime memories of childhood and adolescence, with an intimate style. Notable authors include Jose Angel Valente and Carlos Barral.
Novel: Luis Martin Santos’s “Time of Silence” (1962) began a renovation in style, using interior monologue.
Theater: Two camps emerged: commercial theater, intended for entertainment, with authors like Jaime de Armiñán, and committed, innovative theater with authors like Lauro Olmo, Antonio Gala, and Fernando Arrabal.
1970s: Avant-Garde Resurgence and Political Themes
The generation of the 1970s, called the “newest,” resumed avant-garde currents, especially surrealism. They addressed political and social issues, as well as personal themes. Calligrams, poems with upper and lower case letters without alternating order, reappeared. Notable authors include Ana Maria Moix and Pere Gimferrer.
Novel: Narrative experimentation lost interest. Eduardo Mendoza’s “The Truth About the Savolta Case” (1975) marked a return to the traditional novel, with the emergence of police and fantastic genres. Storytelling became very important, with authors like Ignacio Aldecoa.
Theater: With the advent of democracy, censorship disappeared, and works by exiled authors like Max Aub and Rafael Alberti were represented. Avant-garde styles were used by authors like Francisco Nieva. From the 1980s, experimental and realist theater coexisted, with authors like Fernando Fernán Gómez, as well as independent theater companies like “Els Joglars” and “Tábano.” Festivals proliferated, addressing controversial issues.