Key Movements and Authors of 20th Century Latin American Literature

20th Century Hispanic American Literature

Poesía Hispanoamericana: Breaking with Modernismo

This movement marked the break with Modernismo approaches, favoring plain, simple, and even colloquial language.

Pablo Neruda: Poet, Diplomat, and Nobel Laureate

The Chilean poet and diplomat resided in Madrid until the Spanish Civil War. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. His best-known book is Twenty Love Poems and a Desperate Song.

Octavio Paz: Surrealism and Global Influences

The Mexican diplomat lived in France, where he encountered Surrealism. His travels to Spain, India, and Japan allowed him to become familiar with the poetry and thought of these countries. Important works include Freedom under Parole and East Slope.

The 20th Century Novel: Realism to Magical Realism

The first 30 years of the century were dominated by the realistic novel, often presenting the American rural setting.

From the 1940s, a profound renewal of the novel took place, influenced by new narrative techniques and emerging trends, most notably Magical Realism (which unites reality and fantasy).

The 1960s are known as the Boom of Latin American Fiction. Novelists pursued the innovations of the previous stage and enriched them with new resources, maintaining features of Magical Realism. After the Boom, new figures continued to emerge, such as Alfredo Bryce Echenique (Peru) and Ricardo Piglia (Argentina).

The Short Story (El Cuento) in Latin America

The short story genre has been cultivated by the most important Hispanic American narrators. The first significant figure was the Uruguayan writer Horacio Quiroga. However, a more profound renewal of this genre occurred starting in 1940, led by Argentinian writers Jorge Luis Borges and Julio Cortázar.

Hispanic Avant-Garde Movements (Vanguardismo Hispano)

The Hispanic Avant-Garde presented interesting literary events, including Creationism, Ultraism, and Surrealism:

• Creationism: Did not intend to reflect or imitate any reality, but rather responded to the creative impulse—the purest joy of inventing.
• Ultraism: Characterized by dealing with topics related to the activities of modern life. It also introduced visual innovations regarding the disposal of verses.
• Surrealism: Influenced César Vallejo, Pablo Neruda, and Octavio Paz. These three poets incorporated avant-garde features into their works, later rehumanizing their poetry by focusing on concerns and issues close to humanity.

César Vallejo: Essential Peruvian Poetry

Vallejo never achieved critical acclaim during his lifetime, which was marked by poverty and adversity. However, his work is now considered essential for readers of poetry. His first book of poems, The Black Heralds, maintained modernist aesthetics.