Spanish Literature (1940-1960): From Existentialism to Social Realism
Spanish Literature (1940-1960)
Historical Context
The period from 1940 to 1960 was deeply marked by the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) and its aftermath. The war led to a fractured society, widespread trauma, and impoverishment. The dictatorial regime suppressed freedoms, forcing many intellectuals, scientists, artists, and writers into exile. Those who remained faced silence or internal exile. The Second World War (1939-1945) further isolated Spain due to its association with Germany. The Cold
Read MoreVocabulary of Emotions and Human Experience
Language Vocabulary
Melancholy
(From Lat. Melancholia, and this from Gr. μελαγχολία, black bile).
- n. Deep, quiet, and persistent sadness stemming from physical or moral causes, preventing the sufferer from finding pleasure or joy.
- n. Med. A type of monomania dominated by sad emotional states.
- n. Archaic Black bile.
Passion
(From Lat. Passio, -onis, and this from Gr. πάθος).
- n. The act of suffering.
- n. By antonomasia. The Passion of Jesus Christ. Spelling: Capitalized.
- n. The opposite of action.
Galician Literature in Exile: A Story of Resilience and Renewal
Galician Literature in Exile (1936-1950s)
A Legacy of Resilience
Starting in 1936, and continuing through the 1940s and 1950s, Galician literature persevered through exile and emigration, primarily to Mexico and Buenos Aires. The Spanish Civil War’s impact is evident in the works of this period.
In Buenos Aires, exiled writers connected with earlier emigrants, fostering a literary revival through magazines, books, and reprints. Despite challenges like limited resources and readership, Galician literature
Read MoreLiterary Evolution of Extremadura & the Spread of Spanish in the Americas
Literary History of Extremadura
Regionalism (Early 20th Century)
In the early 20th century, Extremadura’s literary scene was dominated by regionalism. Key figures include:
- José María Gabriel: Focused on rural life and its challenges.
- Luis Chamizo: A modernist poet known as the quintessential Extremadura writer.
- Antonio Reyes Huertas: His novels, like “Blood of the Race,” present a conservative view of Extremadura.
- Francisco Valdés: His prose, marked by melancholy and violence, gradually aligned with
Modernism in Spain: A Literary Revolution
Modernism in Spain
Historical Context
Spain declared war on the USA in 1898, losing Cuba, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico. This disaster led to a generational crisis and the dictatorship of General Primo de Rivera (1923). The Second Republic was proclaimed in 1931. Economic crisis and unemployment led to the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939).
Spain experienced late population growth in Europe, a new middle class, and industrial development. The labor movement developed, linked to anarchism and socialism.
Read More20th Century Spanish Theater: From Benavente to Experimentalism
20th Century Spanish Theater
Pre-Civil War Theater
Successful Theater
The Bourgeois Comedy
Also known as Benaventine comedy, named after Jacinto Benavente, Nobel Prize winner in 1922. This style catered to the bourgeoisie, portraying conflicts like infidelity and hypocrisy with sharp language and dramatic skill.
- Content: Upper-class conflicts.
- Style: Dramatic, witty, ironic (without challenging social order).
- Works: “Special Interests,” “Lady Love,” “The Unloved.”
The Poetic Theater
Also called historical
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