Spanish Literary Movements and Key Authors of the 20th Century

Valle-Inclán's Esperpento: Deforming Reality

The grotesque serves as a powerful means of expression in Valle-Inclán's Esperpento, characterized by a profound deformation of reality. This literary style employs a double code: beneath an apparent tone of mockery and caricature of reality lies a meaning full of satirical intent, highlighting social contrasts.

Key Characteristics of Esperpento

• Employment of Violent Death: A fundamental characteristic, often leading to 'muñequización' (puppetization) of characters.
• Distortion Techniques: Achieved by merging human and animal traits, blending dream and reality, and reducing figures to simple masks or puppets of human behavior.
• Collective Characters: Often feature prominently, representing broader societal issues.
• Exaggerated and Distorted Figures: Characters are shaped by a blend of physical and psychological traits, with blurred profiles, often reflecting the chaos of specific situations or behaviors.

Themes and Historical Context

All of Valle-Inclán's 'esperpentos' share common features in terms of themes, structure, and resources. An important element is history; Valle-Inclán was deeply interested in:

• The Carlist Wars
• The Elizabethan period
• The wars in Cuba and Morocco
• The Mexican Revolution

Other recurring themes include inherited myths from tradition, such as the myth of honor, the Don Juan myth, and various social problems. Valle-Inclán also uses elements of farce and puppetry to achieve his distinctive distortion.

Linguistic Style and Innovation

Linguistically, Valle-Inclán's treatment stands out for its masterful use of irony and hyperbole. He was a popularizer of language, employing augmentatives and a profusion of derogatory nicknames, creating degrading names and short, impactful terms.

Characteristics of a Literary Generation

Certain literary periods are defined by shared characteristics among authors, often indicating a distinct literary generation. These include:

• Birth within a specific timeframe
• Similar intellectual education
• Shared social relationships
• Participation in collective action
• A defining generational event
• Common stylistic features
• A perceived stagnation of the previous generation's style

Prominent Spanish Authors of the 20th Century

Luis Cernuda: Poet of Desire and Frustration

Born in Seville, Luis Cernuda was a rich and profound poet. His complex and challenging universe resulted from his internal introversion and loneliness, both physical and spiritual, fueling a desire to seek beauty and absolute harmony. Key works include La realidad y el deseo (The Reality of Desire), Los placeres prohibidos (Forbidden Pleasures), and Donde habite el olvido (Where Oblivion Dwells).

Cernuda is presented as part of a tradition that began with Romanticism. His homosexuality clashed with the traditions and norms of bourgeois society, leading to a life often defined by rebellion and a feeling of frustration.

Jacinto Benavente: Critic of Bourgeois Society

Jacinto Benavente authored 172 works, initiating the 'comedy of manners' or 'salon comedy' in Spanish theater. He critically examined bourgeois and aristocratic society. His extensive body of work can be broadly categorized:

• Bourgeois Comedies: Focusing on domestic life (e.g., El nido ajeno - 'The Alien Nest')
• Exotic Plays: Exploring unusual settings or themes (e.g., La noche del sábado - 'Saturday Night')
• Provincial/Rural Dramas: Depicting life outside urban centers (e.g., La malquerida - 'The Ill-Beloved')
• Farce-like 'Guiñolesca' Plays: Characterized by puppet-like characters and exaggerated situations (e.g., Los intereses creados - 'The Bonds of Interest')

Astrakhan: A Collaborative Collection

Astrakhan refers to a collection of books written in collaboration with other authors. These works are characterized by their wit and humor, highlighting the distinctive voice of a master contributor within the collection.