Spanish Literature Before the Civil War
The Pre-Novel of the Spanish Civil War
In 1912, four novels emerged that paved an innovative path in Spanish narrative: Azorín’s The Will, Pío Baroja’s The Path of Perfection, Miguel de Unamuno’s Love and Pedagogy, and Valle-Inclán’s Sonata of Autumn. These novelists, each with their unique style, reacted against the prevailing realistic and naturalistic formulas.
The technical differences between these novels and those of the previous century include:
- Shift in Point of View: The narrative perspective
Spanish Literature: Generation of ’27, ’98, Modernism & Avant-garde
Generation of ’27
Features:
- Aesthetic renovation of poetry, incorporating avant-garde innovations and Spanish influences.
- Renewal of poetic language through religious vocabulary, colloquialisms, etc.
- Use of metaphors to express surreal content.
- Variety of metric forms, including sonnets, romances, carols, blank verse, and free verse.
- Evolution of themes from a focus on the poem itself to a humanized poetry influenced by Surrealism.
Key Authors:
Pedro Salinas (1891-1951):
- Poetry as a way to access the essence
Salvador Espriu: Life, Works, and Literary Legacy
Salvador Espriu: National Poet of Catalonia
Biography
- Born in Santa Coloma de Farners, 1913.
- Family relocated to Barcelona; father worked as a notary.
- Spent extended periods in Arenys de Mar, a coastal town.
- A sickly child, he spent much time reading.
- 1933: A Mediterranean cruise significantly impacted his life and work.
- 1935-1936: Studied Law and Ancient History at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.
- Experienced the hardship of the Spanish Civil War; mobilized as a war auditor, lost his friend Bartolomé
Modernism and the Generation of ’27: A Literary Revolution
Modernism (1880-1914)
Modernism was a cultural and literary movement that emerged in Latin America, led by José Martí and Rubén Darío. Initially mirroring Spanish tradition, young modernists sought to assert their American roots, rebelling against Spanish influences. This synthetic art movement drew inspiration from 19th-century aesthetics, including Romanticism, Parnassianism, French Symbolism, and American, Italian, and English literature. These influences led to a renewed vocabulary, rhythm,
Read MoreIntroduction to Literary Arts
Item 1: Literature
1) Definition
Literature is a fine art that uses words as its primary tool, distinguishing it from other art forms like music.
Literature, like other arts, is a historical product. Understanding a novel, play, or poem requires knowledge of the historical context in which it was created, reflecting the mentality and ideas of its time. It’s also helpful to understand preceding works, as new texts may follow, modify, or oppose them.
Literary works are often categorized by language,
Read MoreGolden Age of Spanish Literature: Renaissance & Baroque
Golden Age of Spanish Literature (14th-17th Centuries)
Renaissance and Baroque Movements
From the 14th to the 17th century, two major cultural movements flourished in Europe: the Renaissance and the Baroque. In Spain, these movements spanned from the reign of the Catholic Monarchs to Charles II. Despite their distinct characteristics, these two centuries are collectively known as the Golden Age, representing a period of remarkable cultural achievements.
Historical Context
Three key events marked the
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