Modernism in Literature: Origins, Themes, and Spanish Evolution

Modernism: A Literary Revolution (1885-1915)

The Modernist movement, flourishing between 1885 and 1915, found its most representative poet in Rubén Darío. This significant literary shift marked a decisive break from the aesthetics of Naturalism and Realism, embracing instead an aesthetic and escapist tendency. Modernism emerged during a period of universal crisis in letters and spirit, beginning around 1880 and culminating in the lead-up to a world war.

Key Influences on Modernism

• French Influence

  • Parnassianism: Théophile Gautier launched the theme of "l'art pour l'art" (art for art's sake), advocating the worship of formal perfection. This movement was characterized by calm and balanced poetry. Leconte de Lisle is its foremost exponent, known for his taste for mythical, exotic, and oriental themes.
  • Symbolism: A poetic current of idealism, championed by figures like Charles Baudelaire, Paul Verlaine, Arthur Rimbaud, and Stéphane Mallarmé. This poetry aimed to suggest all that is hidden, to transcend mere appearance, and employed a fluid formal language.

• American Influence

  • Edgar Allan Poe: A model of perfection and mystery.

• English Influence

  • Oscar Wilde: His aestheticism and wit resonated with Modernist sensibilities.

• Italian Influence

  • Gabriele D'Annunzio: Contributed to the movement's emphasis on beauty and sensuality.

• Spanish Influence

  • Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer: His romantic and melancholic poetry provided a foundational influence.

Central Thematic Elements of Modernism

1. Romantic Disquiet

   Modernists shared analogous concerns with Romantics, including a rejection of society, feelings of loneliness, the intensity of passion, deep sadness, melancholy, and themes like autumn nights.

2. Escapism

   This involved an evasion of space (manifested in exoticism and orientalism) and an evasion of time (through mythology).

3. Cosmopolitanism

   A need for evasion leading to a profound devotion for Paris, seen as the cultural capital.

4. Love and Eroticism

   Modernist works often contrasted sweet and delicate love with sharp, intense eroticism, showcasing both the idealization of women and sensual descriptions.

5. American Themes

   A recurring motif was the escape into the past, particularly the pre-Columbian past of the Americas.

6. Hispanic Themes

   Exalting Spanish human, moral, and cultural values, often in contrast to perceived European decadence.

Modernism's Development in Spain

The Modernist movement in Spain unfolded in distinct stages:

• First Stage (until 1896)

  Dominated by a formal preciousness, driven by the cult of beauty and aestheticism.

• Second Stage (post-1896)

  Characterized by a more intimate poetry where formal effects became less prominent, giving way to deeper introspection.

Key Authors of Spanish Modernism

Early members included Ricardo Gil, Salvador Rueda, and Manuel Reina. They were followed by Manuel Machado, Eduardo Marquina, and Francisco Villaespesa. While initially influenced, prominent figures like Ramón del Valle-Inclán, Antonio Machado, and Juan Ramón Jiménez later developed their own distinct modernist styles, moving beyond initial influences to forge unique literary paths.