Joan Maragall: Visions, Intermezzo, and Songs - A Deep Dive into Catalan Poetry

Joan Maragall: A Literary Journey Through Catalan Identity

Early Life and Influences

Joan Maragall (Barcelona 1860-1911) was a prominent Catalan poet. He was a member of the Barcelona intelligentsia and experienced both the Renaissance (a Catalan cultural movement in the 19th century) and Noucentism (a moderate response to the approaches promoted by Modernism). He translated works by Goethe, Novalis, and Nietzsche.

*Visions, Intermezzo, and Songs* (1900)

Maragall's book *Visions and Songs* was published in 1900. The book is divided into two parts, "Visions" and "Songs", with a collection of poems titled *Intermezzo*.

*Visions***

• Evil Hunter
• John Garí
• Count Arnau
• The Beloved Don James
• Serrallonga

*Intermezzo*

• At the End
• Our Lady of Montserrat
• San Ramon Song
• The Death of a Young Man
• Wise
• Sun, Alone...
• Ash Wednesday
• Thursday in St. Lo Divine
• The Aufabrega
• A Mountain
• After the Storm
• The Night of the Immaculate
• The Soul of the Flowers
• Beautiful Woman
• La Sardana's Wife Speaks

*Songs*

• Song of the Flag
• Song of Youth
• May Song, Song of Joy
• November
• Three Songs of War
• The Goodbyes
• Ode to Spain
• Song of Return

Themes and Symbolism

The Visions represent the historical past that Maragall believed was essential to understanding the Catalan identity. He sought to capture the essence of the Catalan people, including their materialism, earthiness, individualism, pride, and vitality. The fourteen poems in Intermezzo depict everyday domestic scenes related to religion, children, the experience of festivals, summer, and love. With the Songs, Maragall aimed to convey a message of regeneration and promote national vitality in Catalonia.

Mythical and Historical Figures

Maragall chose figures from Catalan folk tradition, such as Brother John Garí, Count Arnau, and the Evil Hunter. He also included historical figures like King James I the Conqueror (The Beloved Don James) and the legendary bandit John Hall, alias "Serrallonga." These characters are mythic representations of divine punishment for sin.

The Legend of the Evil Hunter

In the case of the Evil Hunter, the legend tells of a hunter who, while attending Mass at a hermitage, saw a huge hare. He abandoned the Mass to chase the hare with his dogs. For this offense against God, he was condemned to eternally chase the hare without ever catching it. Maragall's poem describes this eternal punishment, highlighting the sinner's personal greed and the unending nature of his sentence.

Corpus Christi and the Sinner

The day of Corpus Christi is one of the most important festivals of the Christian Church, representing Catholic veneration and respect for the body of Christ (represented by the host). The Evil Hunter, therefore, represents the greedy, impatient, and careless individual who abandons something important for personal gain.