Spanish Literary Movements: Modernism to Generation of '27

Modernism in Spanish Literature

Modernism represented a rebellion against bourgeois aesthetics, characterized by a "desire to flee in time-intense eroticism, melancholy," and influences from French Parnassianism and Symbolism. It sought a new poetic language and metric renewal, becoming the most cultivated poetic genre of its time.

Key Authors and Works of Modernism

• Rubén Darío: Notable works include Azul..., Prosas profanas, and Cantos de vida y esperanza.
• Antonio Machado:
  • Early modernist stage: Works like Soledades y otros poemas, characterized by a more intimate style.
  • Later stage: Closer to the poetry of the Generation of '98, exemplified by Campos de Castilla.
• Juan Ramón Jiménez:
  • First stage: Influenced by the Romanticism of Bécquer, with works such as Arias tristes and Jardines lejanos.
  • Second stage: Influenced by Modernism, including Soledad sonora.
  • Third stage: Focused on pure poetry, notably Diario de un poeta recién casado.
• Ramón María del Valle-Inclán: Well-known for his plays based on Modernism and the nonsensical aspects of Spanish society, often used to ridicule it. A prime example is Luces de bohemia.

The Generation of '98

Characteristics of the Generation of '98

• Profound concern for Spain's problems.
• Desire for intellectual and cultural openness towards Europe.
• Preference for a traditional lexicon.
• Subjectivism in the vision of reality.
• The essay served as a significant form of expression.
• Exploration of existential topics.

Authors of the Generation of '98

• Antonio Machado
• Ramón María del Valle-Inclán
• Miguel de Unamuno: Author of Vida de Don Quijote y Sancho.
• Pío Baroja: Known for trilogies like La Tierra vasca.
• Azorín: Wrote works such as La voluntad.

Novecentismo

Characteristics of Novecentismo

• A Spanish reflection of reality, often characterized by intellectualism and aestheticism.

Authors of Novecentismo

• José Ortega y Gasset: Prominent for his philosophical essays, including La deshumanización del arte.
• Gabriel Miró: Author of novels like Nuestro Padre San Daniel.
• Ramón Pérez de Ayala: Known for works such as Belarmino y Apolonio.

The Avant-garde Movements

Concept of Avant-garde Art

Avant-garde art was conceived as a form of play and experimentation.

Most Prominent Avant-garde Movements and Authors

• Futurism
• Dadaism
• Surrealism
• Creacionismo
• Cubism
• Key author: Ramón Gómez de la Serna.

The Generation of '27

Historical Context of the Generation of '27

• High political volatility in Spain.
• Spain was involved in the War in Africa.
• The coup of Primo de Rivera was accepted.
• Period of the Second Republic.
• The Spanish Civil War.
• The victory of Franco.

Characteristics of the Generation of '27

• Achieved a balance between tradition and originality.
• Integrated both popular and cultured elements.

Main Tendencies of the Generation of '27

• Neopopularism: Characterized by an attraction to traditional metrics, including the use of the octosyllable and assonance rhyme.
• Avant-garde Influences: Notably Creacionismo and the strong influence of Surrealism.
• Pure Poetry: Aimed to express the present moment directly and purely.

Stages of the Generation of '27

• Initiation (1920-1927): Predominance of Neopopularism.
• Maturity (1928-1936): An era of splendor, marked by the strong influence of Surrealism.
• Disintegration (from 1936): With the onset of the Civil War, avant-garde poetry was largely abandoned, and poets shifted their focus to the problems of human existence.