20th Century Spanish Poetry: Jiménez & Machado

Juan Ramón Jiménez: Poetics

Influence and Innovation

Juan Ramón Jiménez is widely regarded as a major innovator of 20th-century Spanish poetry. His work paved the way for the avant-garde movement and the Generation of '27, introducing Spain to the works of innovative foreign poets.

Stages of his Poetry

Jiménez's poetic journey is traditionally divided into three stages:

1. Sensitive Stage

   This early stage, influenced by Neoromanticism and Bécquer, explores themes of loneliness and melancholy, expressed through symbolism. Key works include Arias Tristes and Jardines Lejanos. Later in this stage, Modernist influences emerge, evident in the use of vibrant colors, vivid adjectives, and Alexandrine verses, as seen in Soledad Sonora and Platero y yo.

2. Proprietary Stage

   Beginning with Diario de un poeta recién casado, written during his honeymoon voyage to New York with Zenobia Camprubí, Jiménez departs from Modernism. He abandons the ornate vocabulary and rhythmic patterns, embracing a more essential and concise style, using free verse. Notable works include Eternidades and Piedra y cielo.

3. True or Sufficient Stage

   This stage, coinciding with his exile, is represented by two key works: En el otro costado and Dios deseado y deseante. The latter reveals Jiménez's philosophical depth, expressed in a language reminiscent of the mystical poets of the Golden Age.

Antonio Machado

Stages of Poetic Production

Antonio Machado's poetic output can be divided into four stages:

1. First Stage (1899-1902):

   The Modernist period, encompassing his work Soledades.

2. Second Stage (1903-1907):

   Marked by the publication of Soledades, Galerías y otros poemas, this stage sees Machado begin to move away from Modernism, with glimpses of the Castilian landscape emerging.

3. Third Stage (1907-1912):

   The Castilian period, characterized by a concern for Spain and aligning with the Generation of '98. This stage includes Campos de Castilla.

4. Fourth Stage:

   Focuses on philosophical and folkloric themes, exemplified by Nuevas canciones.

The Poetry of Antonio Machado

Soledades

Soledades falls within the Modernist movement. Key features include:

• An intimate tone
• Themes of anguish over time, death, and sleep
• Use of symbols like the road, dreams, and the fountain

Soledades, Galerías y otros poemas

This work builds upon the previous collection but incorporates new elements:

• The Soledades section revisits 29 poems from the first book, with Modernist elements refined.
• The Galerías section features short, symbolic poems.

Campos de Castilla

In Campos de Castilla, Machado aligns with the concerns of the Generation of '98. The work includes eulogies to admired figures, landscape poems, and explorations of narrative, existential, and religious themes.