Spanish Poets of the Generation of '27: A Deep Dive

Generation of '27: Key Figures and Their Impact

Understanding the Generation of '27

The Generation of '27 refers to a group of influential Spanish poets who rose to prominence in the 1920s. Although often referred to as a "generation," they are more accurately described as a group within a broader historical generation. They were connected through personal relationships, many of which were forged at the Residencia de Estudiantes in Madrid.

Stylistic Characteristics

Stylistically, these poets balanced intellectualism and emotion, pure aesthetics and human authenticity, and the appeal to both niche and broad audiences. They were also deeply connected to the universal and the specifically Spanish. They were in tune with avant-garde movements, particularly Surrealism. Their work shows the influence of 19th-century figures like Bécquer, as well as classical authors such as Góngora, Manrique, Garcilaso, Quevedo, and especially Lope de Vega. They held great reverence for popular forms like ballads and folk songs.

Three Stages of Development

• First Stage (around 1927): This period saw remnants of Postmodernism and a strong influence from Juan Ramón Jiménez's pure poetry. Popular lyricism and a classicist fervor inspired by Góngora were also prominent.
• Second Stage (after the Civil War): A process of rehumanization began, coinciding with the rise of Surrealism. Poetry took on social and political accents, with some poets adopting a certain militancy.
• Third Stage (post-war): After the war and the death of Lorca, poets like Vicente Aleixandre came to the forefront.

Major Poets of the Generation of '27

• Pedro Salinas

  Considered the love poet of his generation, Pedro Salinas had a very characteristic concept of love in his work.

• Jorge Guillén

  An exponent of pure poetry, Jorge Guillén's work is often described as cold and devoid of excessive effects. He viewed his entire body of work as a unified whole, which he titled Aire nuestro (Our Air). This includes Cántico (Song), Clamor, and Homenaje (Tribute).

• Gerardo Diego

  Gerardo Diego was known for the remarkable variety in his poetry, cultivating both traditional and classical forms as well as avant-garde styles.

• Vicente Aleixandre

  Heavily influenced by Surrealism, Vicente Aleixandre used free verse and his poetry is often considered difficult. His work can be divided into three stages: an initial pessimistic vision of humanity, a period of abandoning Surrealism, and a final stage of consummation with a touch of his earlier Surrealist style.

• Federico García Lorca

  Born in Fuentevaqueros in 1898, Federico García Lorca traveled to New York and founded a theater group called La Barraca to promote Spanish classical theater. He was drawn to traditional poetry. His main themes revolved around the tragic destiny of humanity and the limitations of human existence. Major works include Poema del Cante Jondo, Romancero Gitano (Gypsy Ballads), and Poeta en Nueva York (Poet in New York), which explores themes of materialism, the enslavement of humanity by machines, and social injustice.

• Rafael Alberti

  Rafael Alberti's work is characterized by neopopular lyricism (Marinero en tierra), Baroque and avant-garde influences (Cal y canto), and Surrealism (Sobre los ángeles).

• Luis Cernuda

  Luis Cernuda possessed a strong desire for synthesis, a characteristic of the Generation of '27. He had a very personal style. From 1936 onwards, he grouped his books under the title La realidad y el deseo (Reality and Desire), which encapsulates his work's central theme of frustration.

• Miguel Hernández

  Generally considered a follower of the Generation of '27 and a link to post-war poets, Miguel Hernández's work, such as El rayo que no cesa (The Lightning That Never Stops), demonstrates a blend of rigorous technique with popular appeal and authentic feeling. In 1937, he published Viento del pueblo (Wind of the People), marking the beginning of his committed poetry. His poetry is characterized by its human authenticity and technical rigor.