Spanish Poetry Evolution: From Dictatorship to the 1970s

Introduction

The post-Civil War era in Spain witnessed a significant shift. Under the dictatorship, the nation experienced hardship, and many intellectuals, including scientists, poets, and researchers, sought exile as freedom of expression became endangered. Those remaining faced restricted creative expression, aligning their work with the regime's ideology. This isolation further hindered Spain's intellectual growth and acceptance of new ideas.

The Forties: Repression and Censorship

The 1940s were marked by repression, poverty, and widespread censorship, both civil and ecclesiastical. Democracy was suppressed, and any expression contrary to the regime's political and religious views was stifled.

Poetry of the Seventies

In 1970, José M. Castellet's book, "Nine Newest Spanish Poets," highlighted a group of poets who broke aesthetically with the past. This group, sometimes referred to as the Generation of '68, but better known as the "Novísimos," included Pere Gimferrer, Guillermo Carnero, Félix de Azúa, Ana María Moix, Leopoldo María Panero, Vicente Molina Foix, Manuel Vázquez Montalbán, Antonio Martínez Carrión, and Antonio Colinas. Born after the Civil War, they were determined to reshape the literary landscape.

Key Characteristics of the "Novísimos"

This group's defining characteristic was a decisive break with tradition, accompanied by:

• Rejection of Previous Generations: They distanced themselves from earlier Spanish literary traditions, including the renowned Generation of '27, drawing inspiration from international writers.
• New Myths of the Spectacle: They embraced and explored new forms of cultural expression.
• Autonomy of Art: They emphasized the independence of art from political and social constraints.
• Influence of Foreign Literature: Their work reflected a cosmopolitan outlook, incorporating influences from beyond Spain's borders.
• Experimentation in Language: Their style was marked by linguistic experimentation, including automatic writing, manipulation of syntax, and the use of image sequences.
• Thematic Variety: Their themes ranged from personal dissatisfaction to social critique, encompassing topics such as the Vietnam War and consumer society.

Their poetry often employed irony, provocation, and nonconformity, addressing both intimate and collective concerns.

Culturalism and the Venetian Aesthetic

The "Novísimos" were characterized by their culturalism, reflecting their literary and intellectual backgrounds. This characteristic was often referred to as the Venetian aesthetic.

Following their initial rebellious phase, most of these poets moderated their experimental tendencies, refining their cultural references and rhetorical devices to achieve greater stylistic clarity.