Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Latin

XX Hispanoamericana: LÍRICA — a glorious moment occurs when modernism manifests itself as a movement of political affirmation and cultural renewal. In the first years of the twentieth century, modernism reaches its fullness in Rubén Darío, José Martí, and Julio Herrera y Reissig. It had great influence until 1920, when it is followed by the avant-garde.

Modernism arises with the arrival at the end of the nineteenth century of writers such as José Martí, Rubén Darío and José Asunción Silva, who moved away from a specifically European literary canon and sought an identity in the colonial period. This development took place when Romanticism and the early nineteenth-century independence movements were reshaping the various Hispano-American... Continue reading "Latin American Literature: Modernism, Boom & Magical Realism" »

Rubén Darío: The Nicaraguan Poet (1867-1916)

Rubén Darío (1867-1916) was one of the most celebrated and admired poets of his time. His artistic evolution is evident in his three books of poetry:

• Azul (Blue): A work full of youthful enthusiasm.
• Prosas Profanas (Profane Prose): Corresponds to the splendor of the modernist movement and his greatest personal success.
• Cantos de Vida y Esperanza (Songs of Life and Hope): A book that questions the meaning of life and expresses his vital disappointment.

Rubén Darío's poetry was adopted in Spain by young poets of that time.

Juan Ramón Jiménez: Evolution of Spanish Poetry (1881-1958)

The poetic career of Juan Ramón Jiménez, born in Moguer, Huelva in 1881 and died in Puerto Rico in 1958, exemplifies... Continue reading "Rubén Darío, Juan Ramón Jiménez, Valle-Inclán, Antonio Machado: Spanish Poets" »

Antonio Machado — Born 1875 in Seville

Antonio Machado was born in Seville in 1875. His work is traditionally divided into two main stages.

Modern Stage: Soledades and 1907 Collection

The modern stage includes two early books published by Machado: Soledades (1903) and Soledades, galerías y otros poemas (1907). These works belong to the orbit of modernism and symbolism. The poetry has an intimate tone, formally elaborate, using metric models derived from the French Alexandrine tradition and influenced by Rubén Darío and the French poet Baudelaire. Some recurring Machado symbols are:

• Water
• Galleries
• Sunrise / Sunset
• Seasons
• Changing landscapes

Second Stage and Campos de Castilla (1912)

The second stage of Machado marks, in some aspects, the end of... Continue reading "Antonio Machado and Miguel de Unamuno: Key Works and Lives" »

Spanish Poets of the Generation of 1927

Pedro Salinas

Pedro Salinas grew into pure poetry. Like A. I. J. R. Jiménez, he looked at the essence of things, hidden through an intellectualized language. His first books, Presagios (Omens) and Seguro Azar (Sure Chance), mix pure poetry and futuristic themes. La Voz a Ti Debida (The Voice Owed to You) and Razón de Amor (Reason of Love) are his masterpieces, which made him a renowned poet of love. In exile, his most recognized works are El Contemplado (The Contemplated), Todo Más Claro (Everything Clearer), and Confianza (Trust), which reflect despair at the negative aspects of modern civilization.

Jorge Guillén

Jorge Guillén won the Cervantes Prize in 1977. He is the most prominent representative... Continue reading "Spanish Poets of the Generation of 1927: A Deep Dive" »

Miguel Hernández and Nature

He was always in direct contact with nature, as a child. Born in Orihuela, near the mountains, this direct influence meant that the tree, lightning, or bird became everyday elements of his poetry. His work as a shepherd led to a profound and direct knowledge of natural life, which was a great source of inspiration for our poet-shepherd. Miguel Hernández managed to transmit his love of nature, the beauty of things, and his joy for a full life, becoming a perfect symbiosis between man and environment.

Miguel will be known forever as the poeta-pastor, a descriptor that accompanied him all his life and of which he was proud.

Since his first stage, we see constant references to issues related to the countryside, flora,... Continue reading "Miguel Hernández: Poet, Nature, and Social Struggle" »

The Generation of '27: A Literary Movement

The Generation of '27 was a highly influential group of Spanish poets who emerged in the 1920s. They are celebrated for their profound impact on 20th-century Spanish literature, blending traditional forms with avant-garde innovations. This collective, though diverse in style, was united by strong personal friendships, shared literary ideals, and a common vision for poetry.

Key Poets of the Generation of '27

• Pedro Salinas

  A university professor whose poetry was his very essence. A poet who, despite expressing deep emotional feelings, did so with a very rational form.

• Jorge Guillén

  Maintained a lifelong commitment to pure poetry, focusing on the beauty and precision of language.

• Gerardo Diego

  His work showcases

Modernism and the Generation of '98

Modernism (Rubén Darío)

This movement is concerned with the pursuit of:

1. Beauty, spirituality, and the expression of feelings.
2. Escaping the ugly and vulgar reality to exotic worlds and ideals.
3. Defending a refined and sensual style, emphasizing the musicality of language that awakens the senses.
4. Primarily utilizing the lyric genre (poetry).

The Generation of '98

This movement focuses on:

1. The situation in Spain, expressing pessimism regarding the country's direction.
2. Seeking the essence of Spain in the literature of the past and the Castilian landscape.
3. Enacting a sober and simple style with great power of significance (depth of meaning).
4. Cultivating all literary genres.

Shared Characteristics of Both Movements

• Maintain

Jose Espronceda

Espronceda is known for his outstanding songs portraying marginal themes, which symbolize rebellion and freedom, as seen in the Composition of the Pirate and two extensive narrative poems: The Devil's World, where philosophical issues are raised, and The Student of Salamanca, which recreates the myth of Don Juan.

Mariano Jose de Larra

Larra was an author of numerous newspaper articles in which he discussed at length, with clear and dynamic prose, Spanish customs and the country's situation. From his perspective, there was an urgent need for Europeanization. In many of his narrative texts, he used anecdotes to defend his thesis.

Benito Perez Galdos

National Events

In this monumental work, Galdos traces the history of nineteenth-century... Continue reading "Influential Spanish Authors and Their Literary Contributions" »

Prose in the Thirteenth Century

Medieval prose romance emerged in the thirteenth century with the purpose of providing Christian education to the people in their vernacular language. This objective drove the development of Bible translations, collections of exempla, and gnomic literature.

Alfonso X the Wise: A Cultural Legacy

An undisputed icon of this century, Alfonso X was the son of Ferdinand III and inherited the throne of Castile and León in 1252. He undertook significant cultural work, though this success did not extend to his political endeavors. He attempted to strengthen royal authority with the nobility, but his hesitation led to the rebellion of his son Sancho over the succession to the throne.

Alfonso X promoted Castilian as the sole... Continue reading "Spanish Medieval Literary Development: Prose, Chivalry, and Early Drama" »

Spanish Literature in the 15th Century

1. Poetry in the 15th Century

Along with the traditional song, another way of oral transmission developed: poesía de romancero. Learned poetry brought new themes and poetic styles, as seen in the songbooks. First, troubadour poetry of courtly love appeared. In the second stage of this era, poetry developed moral issues.

Romances

Romances are a large, old collection of poems that began to be composed in the 14th century. They were collected and published in the 16th century. The sung ballads are narrative poems of oral transmission with varied topics. Many are epic ballads that sing of heroic episodes involving great gentlemen like El Cid. There are also lyrical and loving themes. From the end of the 14th... Continue reading "Spanish Literature in the 15th Century: Poetry, Romances, and Celestina" »