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Modernism and the Generation of '98

Modernism: Unconformity with art and literature of the last third of the nineteenth century led writers to seek a new literary aesthetic — a major renovation that affects both form and content. Modernism contributes most notably in poetry, but also in prose and drama. For the first time in Castilian literature, the initial impetus comes from Latin America, thanks to authors such as the Cuban José Martí and Rubén Darío.

Characteristics of Modernism

The Modernist poetry, which receives influence from Romanticism and Symbolism and from French Parnassianism, anxiously pursues aesthetic and formal beauty. It can be characterized by the following features:

• Style: Renewal and richness of the lexicon, profuse adjectives,

The Spanish Generation of 14

Located between the Generation of '98 and the Generation of '27, the Spanish cultural scene of the early century incorporated very young authors, mostly born in the 1880s, who are grouped in the so-called Generation of 14. This new generation was dominated by new ideological orientations and a new spirit in literature. Spanish art and reality were no longer those of Modernism or '98, but still not the breakdown of the proximate Avant-gardes. Among its members there are various affinities, but it is their purist zeal which represents the most significant common note.

Noucentisme: Timeline and Context

Noucentisme was born in the first decade of the 20th century, reached maturity by 1914, coexisted with the Avant-garde... Continue reading "Spanish Generation of 14: Literary Characteristics and Key Authors" »

Spanish Narrative Since 1970: Democracy and Diversity

With the death of Franco in 1975, Spain experienced a regime change without violence. The Constitution of 1978 marked the full recognition of individual rights, freedoms, and the establishment of autonomous communities (comunidades autónomas).

Since 1970, novelists like Luis Goytisolo and Francisco Umbral extended the structural innovations of the narrative. The new stories focused the reader's attention on the protagonist's monologue, exemplified by authors such as Juan José Millás and José María Merino.

The narrative tradition continues to expand, featuring diverse voices. Authors like Arturo Pérez-Reverte combine adventure and chronicle, Enrique Vila-Matas explores experimental themes,... Continue reading "Spanish and Latin American Narrative: 1960s to Present" »

Post-War Spanish Poetry: 1950s to 1970s

The Shift to Social Poetry (Around 1950)

Around 1950, existential poetry began to evolve towards social poetry. The focus shifted from the individual expression of anguish to demonstrating solidarity with others.

Key Characteristics of Social Poetry

The topics covered were social issues affecting the community: injustice and solidarity. This period also saw a recovery of political reflections on Spain and Hispanic society.

The style adopted was simple, close to colloquial, sometimes prosaic, and highly expressive. It aimed to reach the vast majority of readers.

The most important social poets included Blas de Otero with his work I Pray for Peace and the Word, and Gabriel Celaya with his work Cantos Iberians.... Continue reading "Spanish Poetry Movements: 1950s Social Realism and Experimentalism" »

Spanish Theater Before 1936

Before 1936, three main trends dominated the commercial theater scene: the Burgtheater, the comic theater, and the modernist movement.

The Burgtheater

The Burgtheater focused primarily on social customs, set in urban environments and aimed at middle and upper-middle-class audiences.

• Jacinto Benavente: A playwright of great technical perfection who critiqued the defects of high society. He became the chronicler of the middle class. His greatest success, The Unloved Woman, explores the passionate love of a stepfather for his stepdaughter. His most recognized work is the puppet comedy The Bonds of Interest. Benavente’s works blend serious aspects with realism and fantasy, utilizing colloquial dialogue.

Modern Drama

Modern

Spanish Post-Romanticism: Bécquer and Castro

In the second half of the nineteenth century, the influence of German poetry came to Spain. These compositions mimic the rhythm and resources of popular lyrics. Far from the complaint and ornamentation typical of earlier Romanticism, this movement culminated in a trend known as Post-Romanticism.

Rosalía de Castro: Galician Post-Romantic Poet

Born in 1837 in Santiago de Compostela, Rosalía de Castro is a foundational figure of the movement.

Major Works by Rosalía de Castro

• Cantares Gallegos (Galician Songs)

  Written in Galician, the author uses traditional forms to evoke the customs and mores of her land. Social issues, such as migration, often feature a vindictive tone.

• Follas Novas (New Leaves)

  Also

Benito Pérez Galdós: Life and Major Novels

Benito Pérez Galdós. He was born in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. From a very young age he lived in Madrid, dedicated to literature, and was elected to the Royal Spanish Academy. He failed in his candidacy for the Nobel Prize because of opposition from Spanish conservatives.

Classification of Galdós's novels

Galdós's novels can be classified into the following groups:

• Early novels: Galdós does not hide his sympathy for liberal Spain: La Fontana de Oro, Doña Perfecta, Gloria, Marianela, La familia de León Roch.
• Contemporary Spanish novel: Fortunata y Jacinta, which portrays the social life of Madrid at the time. It is Galdós's finest depiction of settings and social types, with masterful use of dialogue

Spanish Literature Since 1975

It is not easy to draw the lines of Spanish literature in the years of democracy, first of all because it lacks historical perspective and has followed a variety of trends and currents. However, below are some of the characteristics of different genres in recent years.

Evolution of Spanish Poetry

Among the salient features of poetic trends of recent years, critics have pointed to intimacy, surrealism, and neo-romanticism. These currents are exemplified by the "Novísimos" (the brand new), who led avant-garde and experimental poetry in the so-called Venetian or culturalism movement. This movement was inspired by art and the most diverse cultural manifestations.

• Antonio Colinas: Some authors, such as Antonio Colinas,

Life of Lope de Vega

Lope de Vega was born in Madrid. Of humble origins, he was self-taught and worked as a secretary for various nobles. In 1579, he wrote a satire against his former lover, Elena Osorio, and her family after she abandoned him.

In 1614, grieving the death of his wife and his son, Carlos Félix, he was ordained as a priest. Although he initially stopped writing, he fell in love again in 1616 and resumed his literary career. He lived with Marta de Nevares and had a daughter with her. Three years after the death of Marta, the loss of another son, and the kidnapping of one of his daughters by a knight, Lope de Vega passed away.

Literary Narrative and Poetry

Lope de Vega cultivated abundant lyrical poetry, focusing on traditional themes,... Continue reading "Lope de Vega: Life, Literary Works and Theatrical Innovation" »

The Generation of '27

The Generation of '27 is a group of Spanish poets who gathered in 1927 to pay homage to Luis de Góngora on the tercentenary of his death.

Features:

• Re-addition of Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, whom these poets, along with Juan Ramón Jiménez, would recognize as a precursor to their "naked poetry."
• These poets recovered the Spanish folk tradition while also embracing the avant-garde.
• They felt the influence of early avant-garde movements like Ultraism and Creationism.
• Regarding metrics, they used traditional stanzas such as romances, ballads, sonnets, and silvas, and they can be considered initiators of free verse.
• There is also the classic footprint of Bécquer and Góngora.
• Their poetry is transcendent, human, and passionate.
• Their