Spanish Edad de Plata: 1890-1939

Edad de Plata

• "Edad de Plata" refers to a period of cultural significance.
• The period lasted from approximately 1890 to 1938/39.
• During this era, Spain became a powerful nation with influential writers, including Cervantes.
• This period coincides with the life of Lorca and the Guerra de Cuba (Cuban War of Independence).

Miguel de Unamuno

• He emphasized the tragic sentiment of life, rooted in Christian religion.
• Characters in his stories often display "Intrahistoria" traits, where their stories are overlooked.
• Recurring themes include madness and the concept of "quijotesca."

Spain in the Early 20th Century

• Lorca was born in 1898.
• Alfonso XIII reigned from 1886 to 1931.
• Spain transitioned into a republic.

The Second Republic (1931-1936)

• The Second Republic era was characterized by reforms but faced complications.
• Women were granted the right to vote during this period.

Spanish Literature and Art after 1927

• Lorca began producing his early writings and traveled extensively to the Americas.
• By the time returned to Spain, he had become a well-known writer.
• The 1931 Constitution of the Republic introduced new laws, including women's suffrage.
• The Second Republic lasted only five years before the start of the Civil War, during which Lorca was murdered.

The Generation of '27

• A new group of writers emerged, including Lorca.
• Alternative names for this generation was La generación de la republica or La generación de la amistad.
• The poets within the Generation of '27 were born between 1891 and 1905.
• The Generation of '27 commemorated Luis de Góngora, with "potea", a poet from 1627, in that year.

Characteristics of the Generation

• This generation was not exclusively composed of poets but included writers, artists dedicated to music and painting, and even bullfighters.
• Pedro Salinas was the oldest and wrote extensively about love and was a professor to other poets in the group.
• Jorge Guillén, Gerardo Diego, and Dámaso Alonso were literature professors also a part of Generation of '27.
• Dámaso Alonso, a UCM(Universidad Complutense de Madrid) professor, uniquely wrote about his own generation.
• Vicente Aleixandre, a Nobel laureate in Literature, inspired younger writers; a metro stop on line 6 in Madrid which now carries his name.
• Luis Cernuda was a key figure who influenced younger poets.
• Rafael Alberti was prominent.
• Manuel Altolaguirre and Emilio Prados published books and promoted themselves and friends as the Generation of ’27.

Literary Traits of the Generation of '27

• Shared the same language and interest in past, present and future. Seeking links and open to opportunities.
• Included experiences such as magazines, gatherings, and editorials.
• The establishment act was "Unos Amigos" written by Jorge Guillen in December 1927 in Seville.

Luis de Góngora

• Luis de Góngora (1561-1627) was a writer and religious figure of Jewish descent who mastered metaphors and poetic imagery.
• He served as an inspiration for these elements for the Generation of '27.
• Practiced "Carpe Diem" in their literary works.

Residencia de Estudiantes Madrid

• Residencia de Estudiantes Madrid was founded in 1910 under the ideas of the "institución Libre de enseñanza".
• Albert Jimenez was the founder.
• It was a hub for writers, including Lorca, to live and meet, hosting conferences attended by intellectuals like Einstein.

Spain and Female Education

• It was the first official center to promote university education for women in Spain.
• The term "reblublica" refers to during 1915-1939.
• Targeted high-class girls.
• Challenged traditional images of women.
• "El Lyceum club feminino" functioned in Madrid between 1926 and 1939 led by Maria de Maeztu.

Publications of the Generation of '27

• Writers published frequently in various periodicals.
• "Litoral" featured drawings and writings with a fish motif by Lorca, connecting sailors to freedom and masculine sexuality.
• "La Gaceta Literaria" focused on avant-garde movements, publishing texts and poetry.
• Other notable publications include "Mediodía," "Caballo Verde," "Gallo", and "Revista de Occidente."

Vanguardia

• Included avant-garde movements aimed to break from the past and tradition.
• The term "Retaguardia" refers to the rearguard.

Anthology

• Gerardo Diego compiled anthologies of poetry.
• Sought pieces from poet friends to combine texts and poems for publication.
• Two collections were published: one in 1932 and another in 1934; the second collection included the participation of women.

The "Generation of Friendship"

• Gathered friends of higher social standings but not including all artists in Spain.
• Vicente Aleixandre, Luis Cernuda, and FGL (Federico Garcia Lorca) were all homosexual and wrote about it openly.

Las "sinsombrero" ("Without Hats")

• Fought for freedom of space.
• Included Maria Zambrano, Clara Campoamor, and Maruja Mallo.

Other Figures of the Generation of '27

• Manuel de Falla was a composer and Salvador Dalí was a painter.
• Dalí and Lorca were friends in literature and art.

Poetic Trajectory of the Generation of '27

• Published first books influenced Juan Ramón Jimenez.
• "Pure poetry" focused on selected words, intellectualism.
• "Neopopular poetry" practiced by FGL, had musicality, and metaphor.
• "Surrealist poetry" explored the subconscious with prohibited themes.

Rafael Alberti's Neopopular Poetry

• "Marinero en Tierra 1925" showcased neopopular poetry with emotional depth.

Neoromantic Poetry

• Featured by Luis Cernuda connected to Lorca and homosexuality.
• Explored pain, reflection, and metaphors, addressing frustration with the suppression of sexuality.

Garcia Lorca's Life

• He became a symbol for many things.
• Ian Gibson wrote about Lorca's life.

Key Dates in Lorca's Life

• 1898: Born in Fuentevaqueros, Granada, to an economically powerful father and a mother who was a teacher and musician.
• 1908: Began studies in Granada, showing interest in music, theater and puppetry.
• 1915: Began studying Law and Arts at the University of Granada, focusing on writing, traveling, and connecting with people.
• 1918: Published his first book, Impresiones y paisajes.
• 1919: Moved to Madrid and lived in the Residencia de Estudiantes.
• 1920: Premiered "El maleficio de la mariposa" (The Butterfly's Evil Spell), his first dramatic work.
• 1921: Published Libro de poemas, leading to connections with Manuel de Falla.
• 1923: Finished law studies and met Salvador Dalí and Luis Buñuel, forming intense relationships.
• 1927: Premiered "Mariana Pineda" which was a historical drama in Barcelona, with Dalí's scenography.

Garcia Lorca's Later Works and Death

• 1928: Published Romancero Gitano featuring folk music themes, while his friends Dalí and Buñuel, created the short film "Un Perro Andaluz."
• 1929-1930: Traveled to New York on Columbia University to explore his sexuality, combining traditional and avant-garde styles, and discovered the gay scene.
• 1932: Directed the Teatro Universitario de "La Barraca," which aimed to bring culture to rural areas and fight against the lack of education.
• 1933: Traveled to Argentina, where he wrote "Bodas de Sangre" and "Amor de don Perlimplin."
• 1934-1935: Premiered Yerma, a controversial play about a sterile woman.
• 1936: Assassinated in Viznar, Granada, soon after the start of the Civil War due to political beliefs and homosexuality.
• His family could not find his remains.

Poetic Works

• Poetic works include Romancero gitano (1928), Poeta en Nueva York, Poema del cante jondo (composed in 1921, published in 1931), and Llanto por Ignacio Sanchez Mejías (1935).
• Sonetos del amor oscuro was composed between 1935 and 1936 and published until 1983.

Lorquian Theater Classification

• Lorquian Theater Classification, includes, drama simbolista, dramas, and tragedias

Vanguardia y Tradición

• Manuel de Falla, 1876-1946, was a "vanguardismo" musician. As well as, a representitive composer of "nacionalismo musical".
• He studied the piano and interested himself in el flamenco.
• Encountered Lorca in 1919 to hold a quiz in 1922 where they discussed about "Cante Jondo".
• Isaac Albeniz, Enrique Granados and Joaquin Turina also other musicians but not with Lorca.

Falla's Work

• Falla work included El amor brujo > pantomima, About gitanos, *About the world of magic", and a description of gypsy towns to have rich culture.
• Other works included El sombrero de tres picos> ballet, Noches en los jardines de Espana> Obra para piano orquestra, La vida breve> Opera, and El retablo de Maese Pedro> Opera para marionetas (puppet show).

Cante Jondo:

• Described as Algo que viene de pueblo pero hacerlo en un arte muy culto
• El Flamenco only for the foreign voyagers to value the dance of Spain. Ut now it is often seen

Cante jondo

• It has a religious feeling in it and a "cantaor"-tells of tragic matters of temas tristes dolerosas.
• The book Poema del Cante Jondo, which was compiled around 1921 but not released until 1931.
• The book shares common things like amor, death and frustrated despeeration.
• One of this mentioned poema is Sorpresa: it tells the story about a random murder victim.
• Miguel Poveda´s song has a connection to this poem.

Lorca's "Nana" (lullaby)

• It has to do with a lot of dark related content

Lorca's "Llanto por Ignacio Sanchez Majias"

• Inspired by the death of his matador friend (Sevilla, 1891- Madrid

La Trilogía rural or la trilogía de la tierra

• The similarity in these three books is the powerful women~ tambien el estructura es muy similar, y los caracteres son muy similares y simbólicos simples para identificar~ El fátum (destino) de un “coro” que comenta los hechos Bodas de sangre (1933) Yerma (1934) La casa de Bernarda Alba (1936)

Bodas de Sangre Notes

• Leonardo: represents the rebellion, pasión
• Novio: Estabilidad

Estructura de la Obra

• Definition note- acotación (director notes)
• Definition- Puñal o Navaja o cuchillo- dagger (it's also a symbol of a tragedy, especially in this case because they dad and brother died in violent situations

Acto Tercero

• It focuses, less on actual reality, but more so on simbolism

Casa Novio-Madre

• A significant part of the plot is virginity, in which, at the end, the bride still claims she is virigin despite escaping with Leanardo

Leonardo's entrence

• Here he acusses her and claims he was too pure
• He also states there can only be pure attraction and nothing more

Cuardo Segundo

• It focuses on the mothers wish to have a boy, but also telling a story about her dead child.
• The Mother then continues to give her son adivce on marrying her and bitting her from the moment of the cermony.

Luna

• He wants you to open up to him and kill you
• When one of your friends dies or the moon is gone, know that they will die forever

This part is important:

This arm is the arm of my brother and my father and of all of my family- this acts he does with it will (Venganza) avenge his family.

• The quote: Ilumina el chaleco y aparta los botones, que después las navajas ya saben el camino is very important.

El Novio

• Looks to avenge his family and represents a regular victim.

BACK TO NOTES

• There are lots of symbolic events in the readings