The Avant-Garde & The Generation of ’27: A Poetic Revolution
The Avant-Garde
Avant-garde movements represent a significant artistic breakthrough, opposing prior aesthetics and introducing new conceptions of art and literature. These “isms” rapidly emerged in Europe between the two World Wars.
European Avant-Garde Movements
- Futurism: This movement, originating in Italy, emphasized mechanical and technical elements, glorifying modern civilization.
- Cubism: Literary Cubism aimed to deconstruct reality, creating free compositions of concepts, phases, or images.
20th-Century Spanish Literature: Generation of ’27 and Narrative Trends
Generation of ’27
Characteristics:
- Birthdates around 1900
- Key figures: Ortega y Gasset and Juan Ramón Jiménez
- Extensive literary training and close friendships
- Shared themes and anthologies
- Similar aesthetic tastes, diverse literary influences
- Interest in popular culture
- Poetic renewal: metaphor, free verse, avant-garde influence
- Themes: Cities (New York, Moscow), nature, love, and the passage of time
Stages:
- Initial (until 1929): Popular and traditional poetry, influence of pure poetry
- Pre-Civil War: Surrealist
Spanish Literature from Medieval to Baroque Periods
Medieval Literature
Don Juan Manuel
A nobleman who combined political and military activity with literary pursuits, Don Juan Manuel is considered the first Castilian author. He cared deeply about his prose style. His manuscripts, though lost, were originally stored in the monastery of Peñafiel.
Jorge Manrique
Born in Palencia and died in battle, Jorge Manrique is a 15th-century Castilian poet renowned for blending tradition and originality. His poetry, notably the Coplas a la muerte de su padre (Couplets
Read MoreThe Latin American Boom: Magical Realism and The House of the Spirits
The Boom of the 1960s in Latin American Narrative
The Latin American narrative experienced a surge in popularity from 1962 onwards, transforming from relative obscurity to international recognition. This surprising development, known as the Boom, was fueled by increased publishing activity in South America and influenced by exiled Spanish writers and intellectuals.
Key Dates and Influences
1962 and 1963 mark significant milestones in this phenomenon. The Congress of Intellectuals at the University
Read MoreMedieval Spanish Literature
Origins of Prose
Prose emerged later than lyric and epic poetry. King Fernando III adopted Castilian chancery as the official language, replacing Latin. Alfonso X, the Wise, promoted the Toledo School of Translators. Early collections of Castilian stories and fables were translated from Arabic. Don Juan Manuel created original works of great quality, compiling over 50 stories.
Alfonso X, the Wise
Alfonso X demonstrated a commitment to promoting Castilian writing across all areas of knowledge, including
Read More20th-Century Spanish Theater: A Renewal
Early 20th Century Theater
The early 20th century saw attempts to revitalize Spanish theater, moving beyond the realistic drama of the previous era. A recurring theme was a chronicle of bourgeois concerns and prejudices, often conveyed with gentle irony.
Classifications of Works
Conception of the Drama:
- Interior Bourgeois Citizens: Dramas set in the homes of the upper-middle class, reflecting their lifestyles (e.g., “The Alien Nest”).
- Cosmopolitan Interiors: Set during the winter season, featuring princes,