Miguel Hernández: Core Poetic Themes Analyzed

Key Poetic Themes in Miguel Hernández's Work

Nature's Evolving Role

Nature serves as a central protagonist in Miguel Hernández's poetry, evolving through distinct phases:

• Nature and the Divine

  In its initial phase, nature is deeply connected to God and the invention of language, often imbued with a sense of secrecy. Paying homage to Góngora, Hernández employs riddles and expert lunar imagery as a cultured manifestation. All objects are described by their resemblance to the moon and its phases.

• Earth as Metonymy

  In its second stage, the earth functions as a metonymy for nature, allowing Hernández to express his social reivindication, always siding with the most needy.

• The Symbolism of Wind

  The wind, initially an atmospheric phenomenon, transforms symbolically:

  • In the religious stage, it represents God's voice.
  • During wartime, it becomes the voice of the people.
  • In the context of imprisonment, it symbolizes persecution.

The Multifaceted Theme of Love

Love in Hernández's poetry is explored through various dimensions:

• Stages of Love

  It encompasses sexual awakening, love of regret, love of hope, and love of pain (transitioning from tradition to reality). It culminates in love-joy with his marriage to Josefina.

• Love-Hate and Absence

  The theme of love-hate emerges where man poses a threat to man-hope. Love songs and ballads frequently address absence, further divided into the absent wife and child.

Life and Death in Miguel Hernández's Poetry

Death as an Integral Part of Life

The three major themes in Miguel Hernández's poetry—love, death, and life—are intricately combined in two primary ways:

• Existential and Solidarity Perspectives

  In an existentialist sense, echoing the philosopher Heidegger, and in a solidarity context, viewing death as a "seed" akin to Whitman's philosophy.

• Intertwined Themes

  In works like Cancionero y Romancero de Ausencias (Ballad Songbook of Absences), death and life are profoundly intertwined.

Elegies and Personal Loss

Hernández's numerous elegies mourn the loss of relatives and friends. These are not mere dirges but reflect an environment where death is not unusual for him. Notable examples include elegies for his sisters and for Ramón Sijé.

Key Symbols and Motifs

Hernández's work employs highly personal metaphors and images, transforming the mysteries of life and love across generations. Three recurring motifs stand out:

• Bones

  Bones symbolize life and love, evolving through different stages:

  • As death.
  • As love and erotic war (an epic impulse).
  • As a prisoner's step (deprivation of liberty).

• Rain

  The symbolism of rain shifts across his poetic periods:

  • In the Orihuela period, it is a natural element.
  • In the existential-love phase, it represents the beloved.
  • In the era of "unrelenting lightning," it signifies the pain of losing a loved one.
  • In Viento del Pueblo, it denotes effort and labor.
  • In his final verses, it symbolizes the war dead.