Spanish Literary Movements: Generation of '50 Poetry & Social Realism

The Generation of '50: Poetry and Characteristics

Characteristics of the Generation of '50 Poetry

• Expression of Privacy and Love: In contrast to the previous generation where the 'I' gave way to the community, poets of the Generation of '50 preferred their privacy and openly expressed their love, whether real or feigned, without shame.
• Assessment of the Poetic Word: The poetics of this new generation highly valued the word, achieving effects of ambiguity in reading, which could lead to symbolism and irrationalism.
• Concentration and Expressive Tension: Poets sought to create a unified poem through natural and constructed language. Rhyme and traditional rhythm were often ignored, leading to freer verse. However, heroic verse and Alexandrine, combined with heptasyllabic and hendecasyllabic lines, were frequently used.
• Inclusion of Anecdotes: The introduction of anecdotes allowed poets to expose their subjectivity.
• Civic and Ethical Concerns: While social themes were abandoned, poetry was not political but rather ethical or critical, often leaning towards self-mockery and satire.

Key Poets of the Generation of '50

• Ángel González
• José Ángel Valente
• José Agustín Goytisolo
• Jaime Gil de Biedma
• Claudio Rodríguez
• Francisco Brines

Contemporary Narrative: Social Realism

Social Realism emerged in the early 1950s, a period marked by the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War. With the Cold War, the Franco regime began to emerge from its isolation. The end of economic autarky and the influx of foreign investment allowed for some economic recovery based on industrialization and tourism. Intellectuals and academics increasingly took critical positions against the regime and social injustices. Novelists quickly became sensitive to these changes, and existentialist pessimism transformed into a critical view of the surrounding society. Social Realism in Spain is broadly divided into two major trends: Objectivist Realism and Critical Realism.

Characteristics of the Objectivist Social Novel

• Minimization of the Author's Presence: The author is limited to narrating events without explicit comment.
• Limited Role of Characters: Characters are often defined by their situation and context, with their inner world and psychological analysis being of no interest to the author. They are primarily characterized externally by their actions and dialogue, which is highly important.
• Dissolution of Argument into Anecdotes: The plot consists of a succession of small, inconsequential situations.
• Stylistic Simplicity and Linear Structure: Novels are arranged linearly, without jumps in time, featuring concise descriptions and a simple style.
• Temporal and Spatial Concentration: Plots are concentrated in short periods of time and limited spaces.

Features of Critical Realism

Critical Realism shares many characteristics with Objectivist Realism, but with some key nuances:

• Greater Critical Intentionality: The author carefully selects aspects that serve their purpose of denunciation.
• Utilization of Representative Characters: Both individual and collective characters are typical of the social class to which they belong.

Featured Authors of Social Realism

• Rafael Sánchez Ferlosio
• Carmen Martín Gaite