Cultural Repression and Literary Resistance in Postwar Spain (1939–1970)

The Postwar Years (1939–1970)

The Civil War was characterized by an extreme virulence, matched only by the subsequent repression imposed by the Franco regime. This era was defined by misery, sadness, and cruelty. Historically, regions like Valencia had already been subjected to a right of conquest, such as under Philip V in 1707.

Franco's Cultural Imposition

The regime sought to impose its culture. Their goal was twofold:

1. Erase the existing culture.
2. Create a different culture, which they termed 'imperial'.

The first goal was largely achieved through the systematic attack on intellectuals, who were executed, imprisoned, or exiled. However, the second goal was not fully realized, as the regime failed to specify a cohesive new culture.

The regime's cultural base rested on four pillars:

• Authoritarianism
• Conservative Catholicism
• Tradition as culture
• Historicism

This imposed culture stood in stark contrast to the culture of exile, which survived clandestinely. Unfortunately, intellectual exiles often suffered from a lack of communication and lost information regarding events happening within the peninsula.

Chronological Periods of the Regime

The period is chronologically divided into three phases:

1. First Period: Post-War (1939–1945)

   This time was marked by Spain's political isolation from Europe. The primary goal of war survivors was simply to survive, often without aligning themselves with Franco's postulates.

2. Second Period (1945–1960)

   During this phase, small areas of cultural revival began to emerge.

3. Third Period: The Sixties (1960–1970)

   This decade saw the proclamation of the “Spanish Miracle,” characterized by a relative increase in freedom. This manifested primarily in two areas: 1) Theater and 2) The media. Nevertheless, the regime continued its repression of political protests and trade unions. The 1970s confirmed a normalization of culture, but censorship persisted. For Valencian culture, this period marked further development despite restrictions.

Mercedes Rodoreda: Literary Themes and Exile

Writers of the early twentieth century rejected realism and naturalism, writing instead in a stream called psychological-philosophical. Mercedes Rodoreda utilized both direct and indirect interior monologue. With this method, she attempted to connect more deeply with her characters and display both her personal and social concerns; her work ultimately reveals her own character.

When the Civil War erupted, Rodoreda went into exile.

Her works frequently address relationships, particularly those between mature men and young women. Recurring themes in her novels include:

• Physical love and labor
• Sexual trauma
• Maternal love

Almost all her central characters are women, though men are often treated using feminine archetypes. As the years pass, women become aware that adulthood produces anxiety, leading them to seek happiness through the reconquest of their childhood.

Literary Analysis

Expressive Resources

Rodoreda employs various figures of speech, including:

• Metaphor
• Metonymy
• Hyperbole
• Irony
• Different literary devices

Geographical Range

Eastern or Western influences are noted in her work.