1. Spanish Civil War poetry
Death of a Militiaman, Robert Capa

2. “The literature of political engagement” -- Travers
the role of the writer/artist in the face of rising fascism
the writers’ survey of 1937
M. Hernández: “all theater, all poetry and all art has to be, today more than ever, a weapon of war.”
Stephen Spender: “an obligation to save the world from fascism”
Camus: “It was in Spain that men learned that one can be right yet beaten, that force can vanquish spirit, that there are times when courage is its own recompense.”

3. On the right Song for the Desired Spain
I want a Spain the same as that Spain
That 200 years ago fell asleep on us…
A perfect and generous Spain, compendium
Of constant efforts and supreme conquests.
A Spain, like that one, fruitful and beneficent
And, like her, hated and attacked;
Made from dreams of virtue and from love,
And with the rigor of effort and discipline…
Captains of Flanders, seamen of Lepanto,
Heroes and missionaries of the Indies,
Teachers of Alcalá and Salamanca,
Painters and sculptors of Seville…!
Theologians of Trent, craftsmen of the Escorial,
You poets who sang to the Eucharistic God,
You saints who felt and taught
The internal laws of mysticism...!
All you who enjoyed that eternal toil,
All you who felt that restless life,
Give us your swords and your bright pens,
Your faith, your efforts, your rhymes.
And join us in the toil of combat
To know our venture and enjoy our day…!
Spaniards of today, Saints and Martyrs,
Heroes of independence and reconquest.
Spaniards of today. The clock of time
Has struck the hour of the immortal watchword:
Let us make a Spain like that Spain
That 200 years ago fell asleep on us …!
Miguel Martínez del Cerro, Antología poética del alzamiento, , 1940

5. Nationalists (fascists)
culture for the elite
use of traditional forms (rejection of fragmentation): unity, totality
order, geometry, classical form
extalled: discipline, hierarchy, paternalistic authority
the Church
traditional Spanish womanliness: motherhood
cult of violence
war as a sport, a game to be enjoyed, a crusade
cult figures: the Cid, Santiago, Virgin & saints

7. Look at the following poem:
“The fire”
“I’ll explain a few things” ( )
“The battle of Jarama River” (136-7)
“Short Prayer for a Hero of the Republic” (141) & “Mass” ( )
“Like an Amadís of Gaul” & “Women” ( )
“Ultima Ratio Regum” (153)
“Fall of a city” (157)
“A Letter from Aragon” ( )

8. Discuss: The characterization of: uses of religious imagery
the war
education/culture
the masses
the fascists
role of women
the past and the future
uses of religious imagery
other imagery
In your opinion, does the political message detract from its artistic value?

9. Polarities democracy / fascism communism / Catholicism
innovation / tradition
civilization / chaos
east / west
light / darkness
good / evil
life / death

10. Characteristics of Republican poetry
war waged for & by the people
purpose: a new society
religious imagery announcing a modern day Christ
Christian values of brotherhood
education / literacy
popular culture for benefit of all & social improvement

11. Characteristics importance of role of women innovation in poetic form
influence of surrealism
idealization of the masses
collective love of mankind
war as a painful necessity
death as a source of new life