Post-War Spanish Literature: A Study of Existential and Social Novels
The Existential Novel (1940-1950)
During the early postwar years, a gender gap existed in narrative, and significant authors of fiction from before the Civil War had either died or were in exile. In Spain, only Pío Baroja, revered by younger writers, remained a prestigious figure, though already in decline. However, 1942 saw the publication of The Family of Pascual Duarte by Camilo José Cela, a novel that initiated a new trend called “tremendismo,” marking the recovery of the genre. Nothing, by
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Luis de Góngora: Master of Culteranismo
Luis de Góngora (1561-1627) crafted a brilliant and elaborate poetic language, characterized by its intellectualism and aestheticism. His poetry aimed not to represent reality directly, but to transform it through intricate metaphors, creating a new world of beauty. Góngora’s work is primarily addressed to the intellect, focusing on aesthetic admiration rather than emotional expression.
His poetry can be broadly divided into two styles:
- Cultured Poetry (Culteranismo)
Neoclassicism, Romanticism, and Post-Romanticism
Neoclassicism (18th Century)
- Imitation of the Classics: The belief that Classical art had reached maximum perfection, making innovation futile; imitation was valued.
- Art as Beauty: Art was synonymous with beauty, good taste, perfection, harmony, and balance.
- Objective Viewpoint: Emphasis on reason and rationality.
- Idealized Nature: A peaceful and balanced representation of nature.
- Universal Values: Exaltation of universal human values.
Romanticism (19th Century)
- Creative Freedom: Embraced modern liberty,
Literary Modernism: Characteristics and Influence
Characteristics of Modernism
In the late nineteenth century, people lost confidence in progress, which did not resolve problems, and in science, which was unable to offer absolute truths. This general crisis was reflected in art and culture. It was in this context that Modernismo emerged. Modernism developed throughout the Hispanic area in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Characteristics of Literary Modernism
Modernist writers had various influences, including two French poetic
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Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961)
His fiction depicts an absurd, meaningless world. His characters are anti-social and individualistic. They reject conventional society and take refuge in vigorous, risky physical activity. Facing death and anger alone, they feel close to the ultimate truth about existence. His fiction is extremely masculine, and women are problematically portrayed. They appear aggressive and vampiric but also fragile. For him, the truth is bare, lean, and impacting. He mostly uses what
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El Día que Sueñes con Flores Salvajes (The Day You Dream of Wild Flowers)
El Día que Sueñes con Flores Salvajes by Paola Calasanz (Roca Editorial, 2017) is a romantic novel that tells the story of Flor, a successful Spanish photographer living in New York with her boyfriend, Roy. She has a very hectic social life and works endlessly to afford her luxury goods. Her boyfriend is increasingly involved in his work and is often absent. Things seem to be going from bad to worse in Flor’s life until
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