Spanish Poetry: Social Commentary and Literary Evolution

Spanish Poetry: A Reflection of Society and Change

This lyric responds to the socio-political situation of Spain, mirroring the novel's desire for immediate world transformation through the denouncement of injustice. It adopts a narrative tone, characterized by simplicity and a focus on lexical items over form, emphasizing what is told rather than how.

What is significant, compared to the lyric poetry of the 1940s, is the formal shift towards verse less bound by classical forms. This new poetry embraces a literary language that reflects the true pulse of contemporary society, incorporating hints of humor, irony, colloquialism, and synaptic breaks.

The Renovation and Experimentalism of the Sixties

The late 1960s witnessed a remarkable change, driven by a new generation of poets born in the 1940s. Their literary sensibility was shaped by the general crisis of May 1968, the rise of consumerist society and welfare, and the influence of new mass media. This led to a new aesthetic concept, prioritizing commitment to the poetic word and moving away from social testimony towards cultural experimentalism and irrationality.

Key Milestones:

• 1966: Pere Gimferrer, Burning Sea
• 1970: Anthology of Nine Brand New, compiled by José María Castellet

This group is sometimes referred to as the "Newest" or "Venetian Poetry" (characterized by beauty, sophistication, and ornamentation). These poets show less interest in traditional Spanish culture and more in foreign influences, drawing references from television, film, sports, and comics. They admire the poetry of the 1920s, incorporating surreal echoes, irrationality, automatic writing, and the "collage" technique, clearly influenced by the Generation of '27.

Their themes—movies, counterculture, dissident political figures, pop music—are often obscured for the average reader by logical discourse ruptures and bright, exotic cultures. Significant names include Pere Gimferrer, Guillermo Carnero, Felix de Azua, Jenaro Taléis, Luis Alberto de Cuenca, Leopoldo María Panero, and Luis Antonio de Villena.