The Generation of '27: Spanish Poetry and Avant-Garde
The Generation of '27: Key Traits
The Generation of '27 is defined by the birth dates of local poets, their deep bonds of friendship, and a shared influence across cultures. In 1927, the group met to commemorate the tercentenary of the death of Góngora. Between 1927 and 1928, the movement saw the publication of its most significant magazines and books.
Prominent Members
- Pedro Salinas and Jorge Guillén
- Gerardo Diego and Federico García Lorca
- Rafael Alberti and Luis Cernuda
- Vicente Aleixandre and Emilio Prados
- Manuel Altolaguirre and Dámaso Alonso
Avant-Garde and Tradition
With a cosmopolitan outlook and openness to European contributions, the poets of '27 valued the past while rescuing technical mastery. They integrated various styles, ranging from traditional poetry (villancicos, romances, songs, and neopopularismo) to the Golden Age masters like Góngora (creating a unique poetic reality), Garcilaso, Saint John of the Cross, Quevedo, and Lope de Vega.
They also drew from 19th-century influences such as Bécquer (intimacy) and Rubén Darío (metric innovations and imagery), as well as Unamuno and Machado (the intersection of thought, reality, and dreams). Their work was further shaped by Symbolist poetry (Mallarmé and Valéry), the Vanguards, and Gómez de la Serna.
Influential Teachers
The movement was guided by two primary figures:
- Juan Ramón Jiménez: A mentor through the Index magazine, championing "pure poetry."
- José Ortega y Gasset: Known for the "dehumanization of art," focusing on minority art, irony, insignificance, playfulness, and the dominance of the metaphor.
Themes and Forms
Their work explored love, the universe, fate, and death, often relating these to technical progress and urban development.
- Sense of Freedom: The city is viewed with optimism (comfort, film, and advertising) but also through its downsides (urban sprawl).
- Love: Portrayed as liberal and a means of individual fulfillment, encompassing both hetero- and homoerotic themes, though often tinged with pain.
- Nature: Viewed as an environment and a poetic element through a pantheistic lens.
Technically, they achieved a combination of traditional forms with modern verse and rhythm.
Evolutionary Stages of the Generation of '27
Stage 1 (1927–1929): Splendor and Balance
This period represents the splendor of the avant-garde balanced with literary tradition, characterized primarily by Pure Poetry.
Stage 2 (1929–1936): Surrealism and Rehumanization
This phase involved Surrealism and a poetic exploration of the self and emotions. It coincided with a complicated political situation and was influenced by Pablo Neruda, leading to "impure" and committed poetry that sought communication.
Stage 3 (Since 1939): Disintegration and Exile
Following the war, the Generation of '27 disintegrated. While the group dispersed, their works continued to reflect a deep sense of commitment and legacy.