Spanish Poetry: Generation of ’27 – Poets and Influences
The Generation of ’27: A Literary Overview
1926-1929: This period coincides with the centenary of pure poetry and the avant-garde movement.
1929-1930: Surrealism begins to influence Spanish poetry, with poets like Aleixandre and Lorca leading the way.
1936: The Spanish Civil War dramatically impacted the literary scene, leading to two main responses: silence or exile (as seen with figures like Rafael Alberti), or taking sides, as exemplified by poets like Luis Cernuda and Vicente Aleixandre. Federico García Lorca was assassinated, while others, like Alberti, went into exile. Cernuda and others remained in Spain, including Gerardo Diego and Jorge Guillén.
Later Stage: A gradual return to normalcy occurred, and these poets achieved global recognition, with one even winning the Nobel Prize.
Key Poets of the Generation of ’27
Jorge Guillén (1893-1984)
Born in Valladolid in 1893 and died in Malaga in 1984. He was a poet and teacher in Spain, Europe, and the United States. He considered all his poetry as part of a single, lifelong work, which he divided into three books: Song, Clamor, and Homage.
Gerardo Diego (1896-1987)
Born in Santander in 1896, Diego was a professor who combined traditional and avant-garde styles. His work can be categorized into two main lines:
- Traditional/Classical: Influenced by classical authors. Examples include Soria, Alondra de verdad, and Versos divinos.
- Avant-Garde/Experimental: This style is exemplified by works like Manual de espumas and Imagen.
Vicente Aleixandre (1898-1984)
Born in Seville in 1898 and died in Madrid in 1984. He received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1977. His poetic journey can be divided into stages:
- Early Stage: Close to realism but with an intimate, difficult-to-comprehend vision, characterized by continuous metaphors and symbols. Notable works include Pasión de la tierra, Espadas como labios, La destrucción o el amor, and Sombras del paraíso.
- Post-Civil War: His writing became more humanistic and simpler in style.
- Later Stage: Aleixandre focused on himself, reflecting on his style and returning to surrealism. He is considered one of the greatest Spanish surrealist poets.
Federico García Lorca (1898-1936)
Born in Granada in 1898, Lorca was murdered during the Civil War in 1936. In 1929, he traveled to New York and encountered surrealism. His work uniquely blended cultured and popular elements. His works can be divided into periods:
- 1918-1928: Linked to Andalusian popular culture, reflecting a tragic sensibility. He utilized forms like the letrilla, copla, and soleá. Notable works include Primeras canciones and Romancero gitano.
- 1929-1936: Closer to surrealism, protesting against pain and dehumanization. Works include Poeta en Nueva York and Llanto por Ignacio Sánchez Mejías. He also cultivated theater, forming the Barraca group and writing tragedies like Bodas de sangre, Yerma, and La casa de Bernarda Alba.
Rafael Alberti (1902-1999)
Born in Cadiz in 1902 and died in 1999. His work is characterized by variety, blending popular and avant-garde elements. Key periods include:
- Early Period: Combining tradition with the avant-garde. Notable works include Marinero en tierra, El alba del alhelí.
- 1927-1929: Incorporating avant-garde elements and addressing themes like death and failure. Works include Cal y canto and Sobre los ángeles.
- 1930-1939: Social and political themes. Works include Poeta en la calle and Entre el clavel y la espada.
- Post-1939: In exile, his themes shifted to nostalgia for his homeland.
Miguel Hernández (1910-1942)
Although not strictly part of the Generation of ’27 due to his age, Hernández (1910-1942) was a follower of the group. Born in Orihuela, he was self-taught and worked from a young age. He was imprisoned in 1939 and died of tuberculosis in prison. His works include:
- Early Poems: Mixing Gongorism with avant-garde elements.
- Love Poems: Represented by El rayo que no cesa.
- Social and Political Poems: Serving his ideas, such as Vientos del pueblo.