The Poetry of Salvador Espriu: To Save the Words (Monografias A)

The first book-length study in English of the poetry of Salvador Espriu [1913-85].Two standpoints govern the approach taken to the poetry of Salvador Espriu [1913-85] in this first extended study of his work in English. First, the author explores the structural implications of symmetry and numerology, in a chronological rather than thematic survey of the poetry - a procedure that involves a consideration of how each book [what could be termed in most cases a macro-poem] attains its distinctive character while having common preoccupations and stylistic traits. Secondly, he examines the tension implicit in Espriu's poetry between involvement and detachment or between the civic and the lyric. One issue addressed is why Espriu is perceived both as the symbol of moral resistance against Francoism and as a hermetic,'difficult'poet. Central to the study is an awareness of the precarious status of the Catalan language in the period when Espriu wrote most of his poetry, and of how his work represents, by dint of its linguistic character, an act of defiance and affirmation, in Delor's view, a'metalinguistic literature'. D. GARETH WALTERS is Professor of Hispanic Studies at the University of Swansea. Two standpoints govern the approach taken to the poetry of Salvador Espriu [1913-85] in this first extended study of his work in English. First, the author explores the structural implications of symmetry and numerology, in a chronological rather than thematic survey of the poetry - a procedure that involves a consideration of how each book [what could be termed in most cases a macro-poem] attains its distinctive character while having common preoccupations and stylistic traits. Secondly, he examines the tension implicit in Espriu's poetry between involvement and detachment or between the civic and the lyric. One issue addressed is why Espriu is perceived both as the symbol of moral resistance against Francoism and as a hermetic, 'difficult' poet. Central to the study is an awareness of the precarious status of the Catalan language in the period when Espriu wrote most of his poetry, and of how his work represents, by dint of its linguistic character, an act of defiance and affirmation, in Delor's view, a 'metalinguistic literature'.

D. GARETH WALTERS is Professor of Hispanic Studies at the University of Swansea. "This first book-length study in English of the poetry of Salvador Espriu (1913-85) examines the work from two standpoints. First, it explores the structural implications of symmetry and numerology, in a chronological rather than thematic survey of the poetry - a procedure that involves a consideration of how each book (what could be termed in most cases a macro-poem) attains its distinctive character while having common preoccupations and stylistic traits. This aspect of the study entails a critical evaluation of recent investigations by Maria Rosa Delor on Espriu and the Cabbala. Secondly, it examines the tension implicit in Espriu's poetry between involvement and detachment or between the civic and the lyric."--BOOK JACKET CONTENTS......Page 6 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......Page 7 Salvador Espriu, the Poet of Catalonia......Page 10 Poetry and Politics......Page 18 Critical Approaches and Methodologies......Page 28 Chronologies......Page 39 Cementiri de Sinera......Page 43 Les hores......Page 60 Mrs. Death......Page 85 El caminant i el mur......Page 104 Final del laberint......Page 120 La pell de brau......Page 135 Llibre de Sinera......Page 151 Setmana Santa......Page 165 Haikus and Homages......Page 182 Les cançons d’Ariadna......Page 198 Conclusion......Page 211 BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 218 INDEX......Page 223