Spanish Lyric Poetry: Post-Civil War Evolution
Spanish Lyric Poetry After the Civil War
The Spanish Civil War significantly impacted the literary landscape, particularly lyric poetry. The deaths of poets like Unamuno, Machado, and Lorca, and the exile of others such as Salinas and Alberti, disrupted its natural evolution. Dámaso Alonso’s work gave way to existential themes. Miguel Hernández, sharing social concerns with Machado of the Generation of ’98, was widely imitated for his sensitivity in representing the landscape and its connection to mood.
Lyric Poetry of the 1940s
We can distinguish two main types of poetry during this period:
1) Rooted Poetry
This type of poetry identified with the political regime that emerged after the war. Prominent figures include Ridruejo, Luis Felipe Vivanco, and Luis Rosales. Their work was disseminated through journals like Garcilaso and Escorial. Common themes included patriotism, religion, and love, often expressed through sonnets.
2) Uprooted or Existential Poetry
This category includes poets who expressed dissatisfaction with their surroundings. Key figures include Alonso, Victoriano Cremer, Eugenio de Nora, and Angela Figuera. Their work, often published in the magazine Cattail, conveyed the pain of living in a chaotic and unjust world. The style leaned towards prose and colloquial language, filled with striking imagery.
Lyric Poetry of the 1950s
Both the Generation of ’98 and the Generation of ’27 are considered precedents for what would be called social poetry. This type of poetry prioritized the analysis of the country’s problems, using a simple and expressive style. Representatives include Celaya, Blas de Otero, and Gabriel Celaya, who used free verse and often expressed their belief that their work was a tool for achieving freedom and collective well-being.
Lyric Poetry of the 1960s
This generation, known as the “Children of War,” consisted of authors who were between 8 and 11 years old when the Civil War broke out. Their works embodied the recorded memories of their childhood. Themes revolved around their childhood and adolescence, and their personal reflections. Their style was often upbeat, sometimes almost confidential, and characterized by clarity and simplicity. Representatives include Valente, Bonald, José María, González, Gil de Biezma, and Barral.
Lyric Poetry of the 1970s – New Trends
The poets of the 1970s, or the G70, revisited avant-garde currents, especially surrealism. Increased media presence and participation in political and social events were reflected in their poems, alongside more personal themes. Their style was characterized by great freedom in the use of text and graphic elements, including calligrams, indiscriminate use of capitalization, and changes in calligraphy. Representatives include Millán, Carnero, Ana M.ª Moix, Fierro, and Guelbenzu.
Expository Text
This type of text provides scientific knowledge on a subject. The content is expressed clearly, simply, and objectively (denotation). Its form is aimed at a specific audience, using a colloquial lexicon. The text is typically divided into:
- Presentation: Introduces the topic, often with an anecdote.
- Development: Illustrates the idea with data and evidence.
- Conclusion: Summarizes the theme or expands on the knowledge.
Expository texts use a clear and precise style, with sentential or grammatical sentences. They often include repetitions of words, examples, comparisons, technical terms, definitions, and specific adjectives.
Argumentative Text
Argumentative text aims to prove, defend, or refute a thesis, accompanied by an exposition on the topic. It is structured as follows:
- Introduction: Presents the thesis briefly.
- Development: Provides the body of argumentation, including citations, data, and examples.
- Conclusion: Summarizes the arguments that confirm the thesis.
Types of Arguments:
- Through examples: Generalizations based on specific instances.
- Of authority: Based on statements made by experts or institutions.
- By analogy: Comparing a specific example to another.
- Deductive: Guaranteeing the truth of conclusions.
- Feeling of Society: Arguments that align with societal views.
- Individual Experience: Based on personal experiences.
The style is clear and direct, using examples and comparisons to make the text readable and understandable.