Mastering Unit 6: The Avant-Garde, Social Struggle, and Identity in 20th-Century Spanish Literature

Generación del 27

A group of Spanish poets who blended avant-garde movements with traditional Spanish forms.

Avant-Garde

A broader literary movement that includes Surrealism and Existentialism, focusing on the unconscious and irrational.

Poesía Negra / Negrismo

A movement focusing on African heritage and the social realities of Afro-descendants, particularly in the Caribbean.

Federico García Lorca

A central figure in early 20th century Spanish literature known for his poetry and theater that critique social issues.

'Prendimiento de Antoñito el Camborio en el camino de Sevilla'

A poem by Lorca that elevates the gitano to a mythical status while criticizing authoritarian brutality.

Romancero gitano

Lorca's collection from which 'Prendimiento de Antoñito el Camborio' is taken, combining traditional ballads with themes of the Romani culture.

Romance

A traditional Spanish poetic form characterized by octosyllabic lines and assonant rhyme in even-numbered lines.

Antoñito

The protagonist in Lorca's poem, symbolizing the free spirit of the gitano and his conflict with authority.

Vara de mimbre

A symbol in Lorca's poetry representing authority and elegance.

Guardia Civil

The Civil Guard representing organized, oppressive authority in Lorca's works.

Five tricorns

A synecdoche referring to the five guards in Lorca's poem by their hats.

La casa de Bernarda Alba

A play by Lorca that explores themes of authoritarianism, sexual repression, and classism.

Authoritarianism vs. Freedom

The central conflict in 'La casa de Bernarda Alba' represented by Bernarda and Adela.

Sexual Repression

A theme in Lorca's play symbolized by the pervasive heat, illustrating inescapable desire.

Role of Women

A theme in Lorca's works illustrating societal expectations of women as mourners and submissive wives.

'Hilo y aguja para las hembras. Látigo y mula para el varón.'

A saying from Lorca's play illustrating gender roles and societal expectations.

Cultural Identity

A key concern in early 20th century literature as authors sought to address modern anxieties and repression.

Surrealism

An avant-garde movement focusing on unlocking the unconscious and irrational aspects of the human experience.

Existentialism

A philosophical movement that emphasizes individual existence, freedom, and the need for personal meaning.

Nicolás Guillén

A key figure in the Poesía Negra movement, known for his work focusing on African heritage.

Góngora

A Spanish Baroque poet whose influence persisted into the 20th century, especially among the Generation of '27.

Folklore

Traditional beliefs, customs, and stories of a community, often incorporated into literature.

Artistic Experimentation

The process by which early 20th-century authors broke from tradition to explore new forms and themes.

Modern anxieties

The concerns and uncertainties experienced by individuals in the rapidly changing political and social landscape.

Social Revolution

A significant change in the social structure of society, impacting art and literature of the time.

Political Turmoil

Instability in government and society that influenced the themes and direction of early 20th-century literature.