The Generation of '27 & Spanish Grammar: Literary Insights

Understanding Subordinate and Coordinated Clauses

Subordinate Noun Clauses

• Subject: Introduced by the conjunction "que" and requires agreement.
• Direct Object (CD): Can be replaced by a noun phrase (NP) or pronouns like "lo, la, los, las."
• Adverbial (CRV - Complemento de Régimen Verbal/Circunstancial): Introduced by "que" preceded by another preposition. May be substituted by "que," "quien," "cual," or "donde."
• Noun Complement (CN): Introduced by "que" usually preceded by a preposition.
• Adjective Complement (CAdj): Appears before the substantive as an adjective.

Coordinated Clauses

• Copulative: Joined by conjunctions like "and," "nor."
• Disjunctive: Joined by conjunctions like "or," "either...or."
• Adversative: Joined by conjunctions like "but."

Adjectival Subordinate Clauses

They provide an objective description and can be formed using:

• Relative Pronouns: "what," "who," "whom," "whose."
• Relative Adverb: "where."
• Possessive Adjective: "whose."

To recognize a Subordinate Adjective Clause, ensure it can often be replaced by "which," "who," "whom," or "whose."

Lyricism of the Generation of '27

The rich lyricism of the Generation of '27 can be seen in two distinct stages:

• First Stage: Aestheticism and Innovation

  Priority is given to aesthetic achievements. This stage features pure poetry, a blend of conceptualism, Creationism, and Ultraism. It includes songs, ballads, and some poets' admiration for popular forms.

• Second Stage: Social Concerns and Existentialism

  This stage reflects the concerns of people and advocates for social issues. Poems are filled with images of great beauty and inquietudes that imitate dreams. For poets who left Spain, the most important issue is exile; for those who remained, it is existential angst.

The Generation of '27: Key Authors and Characteristics

Prominent Authors

• Pedro Salinas
• Jorge Guillén
• Gerardo Diego
• Federico García Lorca
• Rafael Alberti
• Dámaso Alonso
• Vicente Aleixandre
• Luis Cernuda
• Miguel Hernández

Defining Characteristics of the Generation of '27

The name "Generation of '27" refers to the year they paid tribute to Luis de Góngora, with the participation of almost all poets in the group. These poets formed a cohesive group due to shared concerns and tastes that distinguished them from other contemporary writers. Their coherence is evident in their biographies, ideas, and aesthetics:

1. Similar Ages

   They were of similar ages, with Pedro Salinas (born 1891) being the oldest and Luis Cernuda (born 1902) the youngest. They also shared a profound literary and intellectual curiosity.

2. Liberal Political Attitudes

   They maintained liberal political attitudes during the Spanish Civil War and supported the Republic.

3. Participation in Cultural Events

   They actively participated in cultural events, such as the celebration of Góngora's tercentenary in December 1927 in Seville. They also contributed to the same literary magazines, including "Gaceta Literaria" and "Revista de Occidente."

4. Shared Desire for Modernization

   They shared a common desire to further modernize poetry and recognized Juan Ramón Jiménez and José Ortega y Gasset as influential mentors.

5. Creation of a Generational Language

   They developed a distinct generational language, emphasizing style, particularly the innovative use of metaphor.

6. Admiration for Classical and Modern Poetry

   They admired both classical and modern poetry. They revered Góngora for his masterful use of metaphor. From popular literature, they appreciated songs and ballads, while from the avant-garde, they adopted the new, original, and provocative. Additionally, they embraced playfulness, wit, metrical freedom, freedom of punctuation, diverse subjects, and the use of illogical or surreal images.