Spanish Poetry: JRJ, Machado & Modernist Movements

Juan Ramón Jiménez: Pure Poetry & Symbolism

Juan Ramón Jiménez (JRJ), a renowned Spanish poet, began his literary journey with works like Waterlilies and Souls of Violet. Symbolism remained a profound influence throughout his poetry, which evolved towards a more refined style. He sought absolute beauty, striving to merge poetry and spirit with his inner lyricism. JRJ is widely considered the father of pure poetry, influencing every subsequent generation.

Key Works and Themes

One of his significant early works, Loneliness Sound, stands as a cornerstone of Spanish poetry. This book features sea-inspired rhythms, free verse, prose, and incorporates humorous and ironic suggestions, reflecting a daily, personal, self-absorbed, melancholy, and solitary poet. His later works include Eternities and Total Station.

Prominent themes in JRJ's poetry include:

• Desire for enduring love and a simple dream to recall one's mood.
• Preoccupation with time and death.
• Longing for transcendence.

Antonio Machado: Homeland & Melancholy

Major Works and Poetic Vision

Antonio Machado, a celebrated Spanish poet, also ventured into playwriting, co-authoring works such as La Lola se va a los Puertos and La Duquesa de Benamejí. His first book of poems was Soledades, and one of his most popular collections was Campos de Castilla. Machado's poetry profoundly reflects his vision of his homeland, expressing a deep yearning to recreate its beauty through the depiction of small, everyday things.

Soledades, Galerías y Otros Poemas

Soledades, Galerías y Otros Poemas is a foundational work, deeply tinged with melancholy. It explores two primary elements:

• The nostalgia for a better life.
• The pervasive theme of loneliness.

Campos de Castilla: Themes and Impact

Campos de Castilla was published in two parts (1912 and 1917). This collection features 56 poems that vividly describe landscapes and people. "Banks of the Duero" is a notable poem reflecting the Generation of '98's perspective. The Castilian landscape serves as a powerful symbol of Spain's historical past and intimate realities. Predominant themes in this work include:

• The irretrievable past.
• Life as a dream-like journey.
• Death and the concept of God.

Influential Literary Movements

The early 20th century saw the rise of several avant-garde literary movements that profoundly shaped Spanish poetry and thought:

Futurism

This movement sought to exalt speed and incorporated onomatopoeic sounds. Its themes often revolved around modern technology, such as machines, airplanes, and automobiles.

Expressionism

An artistic and literary movement characterized by a strong critique of bourgeois society. Expressionism rejected urban life, and themes of war, death, and the absurd were highly prevalent.

Dadaism

The term "Dada" itself is a child's word, chosen by authors who believed that a society capable of producing the First World War was inherently evil. Dadaism advocated for the complete destruction of such a society's philosophy and culture.

Creationism

This movement focused on discovering new expressive resources, often experimenting with a lack of punctuation, single letters, and words without conventional meaning.

Ultraism

Ultraism showed a strong preference for lyric poetry, the use of neologisms, and the disappearance of traditional rhyme schemes.

Surrealism

The most influential movement for the Generation of '27, Surrealism aimed to express the unfiltered functioning of thought. It emphasized inspiration and the exploration of the unconscious mind. Spanish Surrealism, in particular, helped writers explore their personal worlds, leading to two distinct paths: one that pushed poets towards social concern, and another that used surrealism as an escape from the oppressive external world's language.