Antonio Buero Vallejo: The Evolution of Postwar Spanish Theater

Antonio Buero Vallejo: Evolution of Postwar Spanish Theater

The work of Antonio Buero Vallejo exemplifies the evolution of postwar Spanish theater. In his early period, his writing possessed a strong existential character. By the late 1950s and throughout the 1960s, his work shifted to emphasize social and political aspects, eventually drifting into experimental channels during the 1970s.

In contrast to the humor and escapism prevalent in postwar theater, Vallejo chose tragedy as his primary mode of expression. A central theme in his work is the desire for freedom. His characters struggle to overcome adverse situations, whether personal, social, or political.

The Foundation: Structure and Themes

The Foundation is presented as a fable in two parts, exploring the tension between reality and fiction. Each part consists of two scenes:

• Part 1 (Scenes 1 and 2): The characters' behavior seems absurd and disconnected from the scenic space. The audience struggles to understand the setting until the truth is revealed.
• Part 2 (Scenes 1 and 2): The audience realizes the setting is a prison, not a comfortable room. This reveals an alienated vision of reality.

The protagonist, Tomás, could not resist the pressure and betrayed his comrades. Imprisoned because of his actions, he chose to deny the truth to create a world without pain. Vallejo argues that we must not deceive ourselves with dreams; instead, we must keep our eyes open to fight against alienation.

Dramatic Techniques

Vallejo employs several sophisticated techniques to engage the reader and audience:

• Objective Dimensions: Describes gestures and attitudes with necessary objectivity, dispensing with purely expressive elements.
• Points of View: The audience sees what the characters see, shifting between objective perspectives and first-person immersion.
• In Media Res: The narrative begins in the middle of the chronological argument.
• Temporal Alteration: The author manipulates time and space to control the reader's access to the plot.
• Immersion Effects: The use of hallucinations, such as the character Berta, blurs the line between reality and perception.
• Contrast: The constant tension between reality and fiction, and the use of perspectivism to show different ways of viewing the world.

Ultimately, The Foundation presents a world where individuals are subjected to the tragedy of existential irresolution, leaving the reader uncertain of the characters' fates.