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Spanish Social Realism and Experimental Theater

Post-War Theater of Social Engagement

The release of "Historia de una escalera" (Story of a Staircase) in 1949 marked the beginning of a prominent theatrical movement in 1950s Spain: realistic drama focused on political engagement and social commentary. Key figures in this movement were Antonio Buero Vallejo and Alfonso Sastre.

Sastre viewed theater as a tool for transforming the unjust world. He advocated for a "theater of emergency," prioritizing political messaging over artistic considerations. His most important work is "Escuadra hacia la muerte" (Squad to Death).

Buero Vallejo, while also critical of societal injustices, believed in working within the constraints of censorship to bring his works... Continue reading "Spanish Social Realism and Experimental Theater: A Mid-20th Century Overview" »

20th-Century Spanish Literature

Noucentisme (Early 20th Century)

From 1914, a shift from 19th-century literary traditions emerged with Noucentisme. Authors of this movement rejected sentimentalism, favoring serene and balanced perspectives. The aesthetic emphasized beauty and pure art, aiming for aesthetic pleasure. Writers meticulously crafted language, utilizing its poetic function. This resulted in literature appealing to a select minority; it was elitist.

Juan Ramón Jiménez (1881–1958)

Born in Moguer (Huelva), Jiménez's life was marked by the loss of religious faith and his father's death, leading to depression. His literary journey can be divided into three stages:

• Sensitive Period (Modernist Poetry): Preoccupied with time and death,

Lyric Poetry: An Overview

Lyric poetry was originally sung to the accompaniment of the lyre. The term 'lyric' encompasses many different subjects and metric forms, but is characterized by a personal and subjective approach. Common forms include the ode or carmen. Early examples include anthem lyrics and the hymns of the Arval Brothers.

Catullus

The first lyric poets are found within the circle of Catullus, the 'new' or 'neoteric' poets. Their compositions are short, technically perfect, and formally and stylistically beautiful.

Catullus settled in Rome and became involved with Clodia, a beautiful woman who inspired a violent passion and bitter disappointment in Catullus. This relationship provided inspiration for his poetry, in which she appears... Continue reading "Lyric Poetry: Catullus, Horace, and Elegiac Poets" »

Neoclassical Poetry

Neoclassical poetry values neat verse and didacticism, avoiding excess or intimate deviation. Poems in this style often take the form of a fable, with a satirical intent, and a proper way to implement their ideal. Verses are correct and devoid of strong emotion.

Themes

Neoclassical poetry focuses on immediate reality and traditional themes, drawing inspiration from classic storytellers like Aesop, or modern ones.

Representative Authors

• Samaniego (Moral Fables): Addresses various issues and aspects of traditional morality (avarice, lies, etc.). His tone and language vary, but his poems are didactic, with an easy and smooth verse (e.g., *The Cicada and the Ant*, *The Flies*, *The Fox and the Bust*).
• Iriarte (Literary Fables): Pedagogical

Generation of '27: Key Figures and Their Impact

Understanding the Generation of '27

The Generation of '27 refers to a group of influential Spanish poets who rose to prominence in the 1920s. Although often referred to as a "generation," they are more accurately described as a group within a broader historical generation. They were connected through personal relationships, many of which were forged at the Residencia de Estudiantes in Madrid.

Stylistic Characteristics

Stylistically, these poets balanced intellectualism and emotion, pure aesthetics and human authenticity, and the appeal to both niche and broad audiences. They were also deeply connected to the universal and the specifically Spanish. They were in tune with avant-garde movements, particularly... Continue reading "Spanish Poets of the Generation of '27: A Deep Dive" »

The action of Chronicle of a Death Foretold is developed in an atmosphere of coincidences, contradictions, and mistakes that enable tragedy. Only two points are clear and firm: the murder of Santiago Nasar and the belief of all the people in the validity of the code of honor. It is with these words that the villagers agree on a value, that of honor, which in view of his way alone could cause them to commit a tragedy. This is the central irony of the novel.

When on the same night of the wedding Bayardo San Roman returns the bride to her parents because she is not a virgin, in fact, this sentences someone to death, for it will implement the honor code in force in the village: honor is restored only with Nasar's death. Santiago had the misfortune... Continue reading "Chronicle of a Death Foretold: Inverted Values and Honor" »

The Generation of '27: Literary Brilliance in 20th Century Spain

The poetic Grupo del 27 (Generation of '27) is the name given to a group of poets who became the most brilliant literary figures of the 20th century in Spain.

Origins and Defining Characteristics

The group first gathered in 1927 to celebrate the tercentenary of the death of Luis de Góngora. This celebration had a double meaning for the group:

• Awareness: Understanding what the poet and poetry should be.
• Rejection: Distancing themselves from academic tradition, nineteenth-century aesthetics, and certain aspects of Modernism.

The Generation of '27 consisted of progressive, liberal, university-educated men who highly valued friendship.

Intellectual Influences

Combining Tradition and Originality,... Continue reading "The Generation of '27: Spanish Poetry, Avant-Garde, and Tradition" »

Phonetics and Phonology

Phonetics

Phonetics is the linguistic discipline that deals with the nature of speech sounds, seen in their physical form (studying the sounds []).

Phonology

Phonology is the linguistic discipline that studies the mental or abstract sounds in the language (phonemes studies //). A phoneme is the minimal distinctive unit.

Vowel Phonemes

• Degrees of openness:
  • Open: /a/
  • Mid: /e/, /o/
  • Closed: /i/, /u/
• Position of the tongue:
  • Front: /e/, /i/
  • Central: /a/
  • Back: /o/, /u/

Consonant Phonemes

• Manner of articulation:
  • Occlusive: /p/, /t/, /k/, /b/, /d/, /g/
  • Fricatives: /f/, /θ/, /s/, /ʝ/, /x/
  • Affricate: /tʃ/
  • Nasal: /m/, /n/, /ɲ/
  • Lateral: /l/, /ʎ/
  • Vibrant: /ɾ/, /r/
• Place of articulation:
  • Bilabial: /b/, /p/, /m/
  • Interdental: /θ/
  • Labiodental: /f/
  • Dental:

The Golden Age of Spanish Literature

The period between approximately 1526 and 1681 marks the zenith of Spanish literature, a time when it reached unparalleled levels of aesthetic quality and influence. This era, often referred to as the Golden Age, encompassed both the Renaissance and Baroque movements, each leaving an indelible mark on literary expression.

Renaissance and Baroque Eras

• The Renaissance (14th-16th Centuries): Characterized by a renewed admiration for Greco-Roman antiquity and a focus on human potential.
• The Baroque (16th-17th Centuries): Distinguished by its complexity, ornate style, and often dramatic or melancholic themes, reflecting a period of profound change and introspection.

Prominent Authors and Their Masterpieces

The Golden... Continue reading "Spanish Golden Age Literature: Renaissance to Baroque Masterpieces" »

Spanish Theater Before 1936

Before 1936, theater was primarily understood as a commercial spectacle and an event of diversion. It was not merely social and critical, nor was it deeply committed to social and political issues during the first quarter of the century.

Jacinto Benavente's Theater

Jacinto Benavente's first work, El nido ajeno (Outside the Nest), marked a significant break with traditional theater. His plays connected deeply with the bourgeois public.

Key Genres in Benavente's Work:

• Bourgeois Comedy: Characters belonged to the bourgeoisie, moving in cosmopolitan salons. Notable works include La gobernadora (The Governess) and La princesa Bebé (The Princess Baby).
• Rural Dramas: An example is Señora ama (Mistress Loves).
• Farce: The most