The Generation of '27: Spanish Literary Revolution

The Generation of '27: A Literary Revolution

The Generation of '27 was formed by a group of writers who published their most representative works from 1920 to 1935. They gathered around the Residencia de Estudiantes in Madrid. The primary components of the Generation of '27 include: Pedro Salinas, Jorge Guillén, Gerardo Diego, Vicente Aleixandre, Luis Cernuda, Dámaso Alonso, Rafael Alberti, Federico García Lorca, Manuel Altolaguirre, and Emilio Prados.

While all members possessed particular features that distinguished them from one another, they also shared common characteristics. For the dissemination of their work, literary magazines such as Litoral (Coastal) and Cruz y Raya played a vital role.

Key Characteristics of the Movement

• Centenary of the Death of Góngora: This event united the group through the celebration of the tercentenary of the death of Luis de Góngora. It marked the rediscovery of literature based on free imagination, ingenuity, and the supremacy of metaphor.
• Innovation in Metrics: The novelty of the group included the use of free verse and blank verse. They also cultivated traditional forms, such as the sonnet and romance.
• Cultivation of Image and Metaphor: Members of the Generation of '27 created a brilliant and suggestive poetic vocabulary that separated everyday reality from the literary world. The poet strives to create images that move away from everyday language.
• Tradition and Originality: Their work reflects a passion for classical Spanish literature, both educated and popular. They felt great admiration for the Ballads (Lorca, Gerardo Diego), the poetry of songs (Alberti), and the poetry of Garcilaso de la Vega (Luis Cernuda).

Influences and Artistic Development

The group was significantly influenced by Ortega y Gasset. Additionally, Ramón Gómez de la Serna introduced them to various cutting-edge developments from abroad, fostering a new, independent, and creative attitude. Finally, they were influenced by Juan Ramón Jiménez, who was considered the creator of "pure poetry."

Primary Themes and Subjects

The thematic focus of the generation can be divided into three main groups:

• The City: Poets of this generation stressed the theme of the city, the comfort of modern times, and new inventions and transports.
• Nature: A love of nature prevails, often situated near the city.
• Human Commitment: They felt a special interest in the great affairs of man. Many writers of the '27 group wrote poetry regarding politics and war, a topic they largely left behind after the Spanish Civil War.