Juan Ramón Jiménez, Antonio Machado, Pedro Salinas: Poetic Trajectories
Juan Ramón Jiménez: Trajectory and Stages
Juan Ramón Jiménez’s life revolves around poetry. His career is recognized in three phases: innocence and simplicity, the poetry of décor or complication, and poesía pura (pure poetry). His work is influenced by classical Spanish and traditional poetry, Modernism, the Generation of ’27, and French Symbolism. His life’s work is distinguished by three stages:
First Stage: Sensitive
The fundamental issue is sensitivity, expressing the poet’s feelings about
Read MoreModernism and the Generation of ’98: Key Figures & Themes
Modernism and the Generation of ’98
The Generation of ’98 is formed by a group of writers with similar intellectual and stylistic approaches, breaking with previous literary traditions. This development is influenced by the Disaster of 1898 and the spiritual guidance of Miguel de Unamuno. Valle-Inclán is a prominent writer belonging to this generation.
Valle-Inclán’s extensive work spans narrative, poetry, and drama, often defying genre conventions and showcasing a profound evolution parallel to
Read MorePost-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
Read MoreGóngora and Quevedo: Spanish Baroque Poetry
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
Read More