Generation of '27: Defining Spanish Poetry & Its Masters

Key Features of the Generation of '27

• Blended tradition and modernism in their works.
• Inherited forms and themes from popular lyrics (ballads, songs) and cultured poetry (e.g., Garcilaso de la Vega, Jorge Manrique, Góngora).
• Adopted modernism: traditional stanzas disappeared, pauses and repetitions were used for parallelistic ideas and structures. New metric forms emerged, such as free verse and prose poetry.

Stages of the Generation of '27

1. First Stage: Until 1927

   • Presence of Bécquerian and postmodernist influences.
   • Influence of early avant-garde movements (Ultraism, Creationism).
   • Juan Ramón Jiménez's influence towards pure poetry, emphasizing metaphors.
   • Focus on the human element in popular lyrics.
   • Classical imprint and formal perfection. Fervor for Góngora.

2. Second Stage: 1927 - Spanish Civil War

   • The process of dehumanization.
   • Emergence of Surrealism, exploring themes of love, frustrations, and existential questions.
   • Social and political problems, with poets aligning with the Republic.

3. Third Stage: After the Civil War

   • Lorca's death, exile of many poets except Vicente Aleixandre, Dámaso Alonso, and Gerardo Diego.
   • From exile, poetry reflected nostalgia for the lost homeland and opposition to the victors.
   • In Spain, anguished tones and existential humanism prevailed.

Central Themes in Generation of '27 Poetry

• Love

  Blending traditional and avant-garde poetic features. Often gives meaning to life.

• Death - Tragic Sense

  Struggle against fate, death, and the tragic sense of life.

• Intimate Concerns

  Conflict between desires and reality, uncertainties about destiny, and existential anguish.

• Social Concerns

  The impact of the Civil War and World War II reflected in compositions addressing injustice, destruction, and societal misery.

Prominent Poets of the Generation of '27

• Pedro Salinas (1891-1951)

  Early avant-garde influences, later known for love poetry and poetry of exile.

• Jorge Guillén (1893-1984)

  Known for his poetic trilogies: Cántico (enthusiasm), Clamor (protest), and Homenaje (tribute to Seneca, Góngora).

• Gerardo Diego (1896-1987)

  Known for both traditional poetry and avant-garde poetry (Creationism).

• Vicente Aleixandre (1898-1984)

  Early Surrealism, later focused on communication with others, and finally introspection.

• Federico García Lorca (1898-1936)

  Explored the tragic fate of human beings.

  • Early period (until 1928): Focused on traditional and folk poetry (popular sentiment, Andalusian folklore, the Gypsy world).
  • Later period (1928-1936): Included travels to the U.S. (e.g., Poeta en Nueva York), reflecting a negative view of urban life, themes of race, and Surrealism.

• Luis Cernuda (1902-1963)

  Early Surrealist poetry, followed by poetry of exile, and later intimate poetry.

• Rafael Alberti (1902-1999)

  Early period influenced by popular art tradition, later learned poetry, and finally poetry of exile.