Mercè Rodoreda and the Evolution of Catalan Exile Literature

Mercè Rodoreda and the Literature of Exile

Historical Background

The late 19th and early 20th centuries were marked by a gold rush that spurred significant economic growth, culminating in the 1888 Universal Exhibition in Barcelona. During this period, Enric Prat de la Riba established the Regionalist League, aiming to Europeanize Catalonia through the creation of the Commonwealth of Catalonia (Mancomunitat de Catalunya) in 1912, which organized the territory into four councils.

In 1923, the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera began, leading to the prohibition of the Catalan language. Following the dictatorship, the publication of a general Catalan dictionary in 1932, alongside the rise of numerous Catalan magazines and publishing houses, fostered a greater dissemination of popular literature.

Literary Context

Initially, the novel held little interest for authors, who viewed the genre as outdated. However, a shift occurred as writers sought new perspectives to reflect Europeanization. The transition toward the psychological realistic novel introduced innovative narrative techniques, moving away from the traditional omniscient narrator. A key influence was Marcel Proust’s In Search of Lost Time (1913), which utilized the first-person monologue to conduct a deep psychological analysis.

Postwar Literature and Repression

Following the Spanish Civil War, the Franco regime abolished the Generalitat and the Statute of Autonomy, stripping away civil liberties. From 1939 to 1945, the regime enforced harsh repression, making the publication of Catalan works nearly impossible. Conditions improved slightly after 1945.

The Literature of Exile (1939–1954)

Exile literature is defined by themes of longing (anyor) and nostalgia for the homeland. It serves as testimonial literature, often functioning as an autobiography that reflects the collective experience of the people.

• Joaquim Amat-Piniella: Imprisoned in France and the Mauthausen concentration camp, he wrote K. L. Reich, documenting his experiences in Catalan.
• Vicente Llorca: Settled in Mexico.
• Jesús de Galíndez: His work, All Three Leave the Olzana, explores the adaptation of Catalans to life in the Dominican Republic.
• Cristòfor A. Geli: Based in Mexico City, he wrote Mixed Brigade, using a humorous tone to describe the discovery of America in reverse.
• Agustí Bartra: A poet who fled to France; his notable works include Ecce Homo.

Internal Resistance

Authors remaining in Catalonia engaged in clandestine activity, often self-funding their work and holding gatherings in private homes. Despite the prohibition of Catalan during the war years (1939–1945), authors managed to publish articles in poetry journals by bypassing censorship. Some resorted to falsified publications, altering dates and places of origin. After 1945, the literary landscape expanded with new magazines, university publications, and publishing houses (such as Selecta, supported by Josep Pla), which fostered literary circles that nurtured new generations of writers.