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The Intertwined Nature of Life and Death

Across his poems, Miguel Hernandez pays homage to nature, celebrating the beauty of all life. However, a recurring theme is the experience of living, intrinsically linked with pain. Hernandez feels life is constantly threatened by uncontrollable forces. This duality of life and death forms an indissoluble association, shaping his biography and becoming the vibrant center of his poetry.

This dualism presents a clear existential significance, pointing towards the inevitable finality of death. Life and death become a discord, splitting the self. The fullness of life, like that of a bull, is marked by a tragic destiny—the ever-present experience of death.

Love as a Tragic Force

In Hernandez's work, the concept... Continue reading "Life, Death, and Love in Miguel Hernandez's Poetry" »

The Decade of the 1940s

Like the novel and drama, many poets were published in exile, while others, of a more traditional nature, published in Spain. They try existentialist themes, presenting a negative view of life and posing many questions.

Key Figures:

• Vicente Aleixandre emphasized this with the poetry collection Shadow of Paradise.
• Dámaso Alonso with Children of Wrath.

The Decade of the 1950s

As with other literary genres, the poetry of this decade is conceived as a tool capable of transforming reality. This poetry has a narrative character and tends toward prosaism.

Main Representatives:

• Blas de Otero, author of I Ask for Peace and Resignation Speech, where he addresses the lack of freedom in Spain.
• Gabriel Celaya, with his collection of poems,

Vicent Andrés Estellés: Voice of Valencia

Vicent Andrés Estellés, a progressive nationalist and self-taught literary figure, worked as a journalist in the provinces. He ignited renewed Valencian poetry and, despite a lack of modern tradition, produced a very extensive body of work.

He is considered the poet who best represents the Valencian country in recent years, as he writes about all elements that define Valencian identity. His poetry speaks of everyday reality with great sincerity, conveying feelings such as love, fear, hunger, and death.

His works particularly address the misery of war, political oppression, and the moral anxiety stemming from the monotony of human existence. Estellés is the voice of the people, bearing witness to all... Continue reading "Contemporary Catalan and Valencian Literary Figures" »

The Power of Women in Curial e Güelfa

Women: The Engine of the Action. Curial e Güelfa is a novel where Curial is the hero, and the play moves along socially and psychologically. However, Curial would not have existed without the intervention of women. Although Güelfa is a character who is not evolving, she allows Curial to begin his chivalric life by providing him with all the money he needs and offering him her love. Güelfa knows what she wants; she is an intelligent, beautiful, and cultured woman. Without Güelfa, Curial would have been a nobody.

Another woman who pushes the protagonist is Lachesis. She is the best-described woman in the novel, known for her great beauty that captivates Curial and provokes jealousy, anger, and contempt... Continue reading "The Power of Women in Curial e Güelfa: A Literary Analysis" »

The Generation of 50 Poets

The Generation of 50 refers to a group of Spanish poets who began publishing in the 1950s. Some younger poets, while not strictly part of the group, shared their critical vision of reality, common ethical attitudes, and a similar focus on community problems. For example, their concerns included the individual's relationship with their environment, social dissent, and denunciation.

A key feature of these poets was their humanist attitude, demonstrating a deep concern for human problems—social, moral, existential, and historical. This concern often manifested as an open political or social statement, though always rooted in their personal perspective. Most exhibited a conscious stylistic will and a diligent care for... Continue reading "Spanish Poetry: The Generation of 50 and Novísimos" »

**15th-Century Literature: A Blend of Medieval and Humanist Ideals**

**Key Literary Models of the Era**

• Dante Alighieri: Author of *The Divine Comedy*
• Francesco Petrarch: Known for his love poetry, which influenced European literature
• Giovanni Boccaccio: A model for sentimental prose

**Characteristics of the Mixture of Humanism and Medieval Themes**

• Chivalric subjects
• Evaluation of fame
• Admiration for a cultivated style
• The demise of the medieval schools of clergy and minstrelsy

**Learned Poetry**

This style, also called "cancionero" because the poetry is preserved in the songbooks of the time, is conceptual and addresses issues such as love, satire, and morality. Love poetry is modeled after medieval courts, while the lyrical theme mimics the moral-allegorical... Continue reading "15th-Century Literature: Humanism, Poetry, Prose, and Theater" »

Key Characters

• Santiago Nasar: The central character, a 21-year-old from a powerful family.
• Angela Vicario: Accused Santiago of taking her virginity.
• Bayardo San Román: A newcomer, known for his courage and arrogance, who marries Angela.
• Placida Linero: Santiago's mother, who fails to foresee her son's death.
• Christopher Bedoya: A childhood friend of Santiago.
• Pedro and Pablo Vicario: Angela's twin brothers, obligated to avenge the family honor.

Authors

Mario Vargas Llosa

A writer whose fiction varies in each novel, always seeking to renew structures and ways of expression to approach Latin American reality. Works include: The City and the Dogs, Talk in the Cathedral, Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter, The War of the End of the World.

Miguel Angel Asturias

Nobel... Continue reading "Key Characters and Authors in Latin American Literature" »

Romantic Lyricism: Definition and Features

Romantic lyric is a literary piece written in verse that has the characteristics of the Romantic movement.

Key Features:

• Directly linked with the author's emotions and experiences.
• Identification of nature with the author's moods.
• Presence of religious elements.
• Identification of the poet with his work, incorporating elements of their life.
• Polyrhythm, meaning the lines are not metrically equal.
• Use of romantic elements, such as metaphors and expressive resources.

Latin American Representatives of Romanticism:

• Martín Fierro
• Rubén Darío
• Esteban Echeverría
• Juan Zorrilla
• Juana Inés de la Cruz

Juan Antonio Pérez Bonalde: Romantic Lyricist (19th Century)

Life and Influences:

• Left Venezuela due to disagreements with

Jorge Carrera Andrade (1903-1978)

Jorge Carrera Andrade was born in Quito, Ecuador, in 1903. A distinguished public servant, he served as an ambassador, diplomat, minister, and vice-chairman of the House of Culture. He also participated in the founding of the Social Christian Party.

His main poetic works include:

• Juan sin Cielo (Juan without Sky)
• Estanque Inefable (Ineffable Pond)
• El Aro de Silencio (The Wreath of Silence)
• El Papel de la Manzana (The Role of the Apple)
• Lugar de Origen (Place of Origin)
• Microgramas (Micrograms)

His prose works include:

• El Sendero del Sol (The Path of the Sun)
• Viajes y Libros por Países (Travels and Books by Country)
• Interpretaciones Latinoamericanas (Latin American Interpretations)

His spiritual and poetic development unfolded... Continue reading "Ecuador's Poetic Masters: A Literary Journey" »

The Novel in the Generation of '98

As indicated in the chapter on the Generation of '98, the novel is the most important genre for many cultured members of this group. The subjects they prefer are Spain, the causes of decay, history, people... further reflection on man and his destiny. These authors do not care about the history of great characters, but for what Unamuno called the intra-historia, i.e., 'the quiet life of thousands of people without history.' Another key element in the novels of the Generation of '98 is the description of the landscape as a reflection of a particular mood.

With regard to form, these authors rely on simplicity and clarity, fleeing empty rhetoric and long sentences. The most important thing is the plot, background,... Continue reading "Generation of '98: Key Novelists and Literary Features" »