Spanish Literature: Generation of '27 and Novecento

Generation of '27:

The poets of the Generation of '27, who contributed to publications like La Gaceta Literaria and Revista de Occidente, employed elaborate language in their pursuit of "pure" intellectual poetry, devoid of sentimentality. They emphasized beauty, poetic play, metaphors, and other literary devices, making abundant use of imagery and visionary elements.

Key Figures:

• Luis Cernuda: Eclogue, Elegy and Ode, The Forbidden Pleasures, Where Oblivion Dwells, Desolation of the Imagination, Reality and Desire, Profile of the Air (first book of poetry).
• Pedro Salinas: Secure Chance, The Voice You Love, Due and Reasonable, All Things Clear, The Defender (essay).
• Jorge Guillén: Cántico (as a whole: chant, cry, and tribute).
• Vicente Aleixandre: Surrealist Stage: The Destruction or Love, Shadow of Paradise; Second Stage: History of the Heart; Latest Works: Poems and Dialogues, Consummation of Knowledge.
• Gerardo Diego: Avant-Garde Poetry: Image, Manual Foam; Traditional Poetry: Ballads of the Bride, Human Verses, Lark Really.
• Dámaso Alonso: Pure Poems, Poemillas of the City, Children of Wrath, Man and God.
• Rafael Alberti: Sailor on Shore, Lime, On the Angels, The Poet on the Street, Between the Pink and Sword, Return of the Living Far Away. Dramatic highlights include: Uninhabited Man (1931), Night of War in the Prado Museum (1956), The Scarecrow (1944).
• Miguel Hernández: The Ray That Does Not Stop, Wind People, A Man Lurking, Songbook, Ballads of Absences, The Mothers of Onion, An Expert on Moons (written in stanzas worshiping Góngora).

Novecento:

The Novecento writers were deeply influenced by intellectual currents, reflected in the depth and rigor of their thinking and literary creations. While still concerned with the problems of Spain, they approached them with more serenity and less dramatically than the Generation of '98. Rejecting the "localism" of the '98 writers, they leaned towards greater universalism. They valued well-crafted, thoughtful work, emphasizing aesthetics and formal clarity. Some viewed art as pure play, detached from life, and catered to cultured minorities. The essay flourished alongside the novel as a prominent genre.

Key Figures:

• Ramón Pérez de Ayala: Novels of the first period (Darkness at the Summits, AMDG, The Paw of the Fox, and Troteras Danzaderas) have autobiographical features, a pessimistic tone, and a critical, bitter vision of Spain. Second period: Bellarmine and Apollonius (love and sexuality), Honeymoon, Gall Moon (love, women, and honor), Tiger Juan, The Healer of Your Honor.
• José Ortega y Gasset: Founder of the magazine Revista de Occidente in 1923. Works include: The Revolt of the Masses, The Spectator, The Dehumanization of Art, and Ideas about the Novel.
• Eugenio D'Ors: Catalan writer known for Three Honors at the Prado Museum and The Oceanography of Boredom.