por The literary currents in Latin America They encompass all the literature created in any of the indigenous languages, in Spanish or Portuguese in any of the countries that are part of its geography.
A literary current is defined as the set of works that appeared in a certain period of time and that share some of its main characteristics. Among them, the theme, style, aesthetics or ideology stand out.
In the case of Latin America, the first literary trend dates back to pre-Hispanic times, despite the fact that they were orally transmitted works. With the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors, new trends appeared that evolved until the time of independence.
Later, Latin American literature followed some universal artistic currents, such as romanticism or the avant-garde. However, in all cases they presented their own features, especially in the so-called Latin American boom, which gave rise to its own style called magical realism.
Main literary trends in Latin America
1- Pre-Hispanic literature
Pre-Hispanic or pre-Columbian literature was typical of the autochthonous cultures that existed in Latin America before the arrival of the Spanish.
The natives had not developed phonetic alphabets and only some cultures had created communication systems using glyphs. For this reason, literary creation was based on oral tradition.
It was some Spanish chroniclers who recorded in writing some of the stories created by the indigenous peoples.
In general lines, this literature had mythology as its main theme. In it, stories were collected that related the origin of the world, the life of its gods and other similar topics.
The cultures that stood out the most in this regard were the Maya, the Inca and the Aztec. Some of the most important pre-Columbian works were the Popol Vuh and the Chilam Balam.
2- Literature of the colony
The Spanish conquest caused, among other consequences, that the indigenous culture almost disappeared in favor of that brought by the Spanish.
However, in some areas, the autochthonous culture influenced the Spanish to create new artistic and cultural elements.
At first, literature focused on the conquest of the continent. It was the conquerors themselves who recounted their actions and recounted their experiences. In 1522, for example, the letters that Hernán Cortés had sent to the Spanish king to describe the conquest, as well as the indigenous customs, were published.
Another important work was True story of the conquest of New Spainwritten by Bernal Díaz del Castillo.
With the development of colonization, the literary baroque was adapted to the Latin American reality. It was a literature that used a language full of stylistic devices and puns.
Among the most important authors, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz stood out, with works such as love is more labyrinth; Juan Espinoza Medrano, author of The kidnapping of Proserpina and Endymion’s dream; or José Joaquín Fernández de Lizardi, with The sarmiento parakeet.
3- Literature of independence
The struggle for the independence of the different Latin American territories had a great impact on literature. This, at the beginning of the 19th century, became an important tool in the construction and dissemination of the identity of the new countries that were emerging.
Neoclassicism stood out among the most important currents of the time. This trend was characterized by a theme that gave priority to the outside world over the inside and that, stylistically, tried to combine beauty with truth.
One of the characteristics of Latin American neoclassicism was its approach based on the ideas of progress and freedom personalized in figures such as Bolívar and San Martín.
One of the most important works of the time was Silva to Agricultureby Venezuelan Andrés Bello. Another outstanding representative of this current was José Joaquín Olmedo, author of The victory of Junín: I sing to Bolívar.
4- Romantic literature
Romanticism had appeared in Europe in the middle of the 19th century. In Latin America, for its part, it was characterized by its social themes and its opposition to the rigidity of neoclassicism.
The authors of this current were in favor of a greater freedom of creation. Many of the works were dedicated to the popular and sentiment prevailed over reason.
Argentina was one of the places where this current appeared in Latin America. He highlighted the publication of Elvira or the girlfriend of Silverby Esteban Echeverria. Another important point of literary creation was Colombia, with authors such as Jorge Isaacs, author of Maria.
5- Literature of modernism
Modernism in literature developed between the last decades of the 19th century and the first decades of the 20th century. Its main characteristic was the change in style, since it opted for preciousness and the use of multiple expressive resources.
Its theme, for its part, was dedicated to the recreation of exotic and magical places, fleeing from the political and social reality of the time. Feelings were also another of the most used thematic elements.
In Latin America, Rubén Darío has been considered the father of this trend, especially after the publication of Bluein 1888. This collection of poems was the inspiration of other authors, such as Manuel Díaz Rodríguez or Amado Nervo.
6- Avant-garde literature
During the first half of the 20th century, art saw the appearance of various currents framed in what was called avant-garde. These were authors who sought to break with classical styles and themes in all artistic branches.
In the case of Latin America, this current arose as a consequence of the socio-political changes in the continent. Its representatives intended to break with the established norms and demanded total freedom in their forms of expression.
This search for a break was also noticeable in the theme. Starting from existentialism, the authors focused on topics until then considered prohibited. In general, they reflected aspects such as economic inequality and poverty and expressed their opposition to political interventionism.
Within this current stood out Jorge Luis Borges (fictions), Alberto Hidalgo (Simplism: invented poems) and Pablo Neruda (Twenty love poems and a song of despair).
7- The Latin American Boom
Although authors like Neruda or Borges had been universally successful, the great consecration of Latin American literature occurred between the 1960s and 1980s.
A series of writers were part of the so-called Latin American boom, whose best-known expression was magical realism. These authors completely transformed the way of writing in Latin America, with works with a great political charge and an experimental style.
Among its characteristics was the creation of mythical places that functioned as symbols to develop their socio-political visions.
In magical realism, writers used supernatural or unusual elements in their stories. These broke a theme that, without them, could have been classified as realistic.
The main representatives of the Latin American boom were Gabriel García Márquez, author of one hundred years of solitude; Mario Vargas Llosa, with works such as Pantaleon and the visitors; and Julio Cortázar, whose work Hopscotch It was one of the most important of this current.
8- Post Boom
Also called “Postmodern Literature” or “Newest Literature”, the Post Boom current arose after the Latin American boom.
This current was represented by authors such as Mario Benedetti, Manuel Puig or Severo Sarduy and was characterized by including popular culture and social protest in their works. Other representative authors were Isabel Allende, Reinaldo Arenas, Alfredo Bryce Echenique and Antonio Skarmeta.
9- McOndo
In the 1990s, a new current appeared in Latin American literature. Known as McOndo, its origin was mainly motivated by the rejection by the writers that made it up of magical realism.
This opposition is clearly seen in the scenarios preferred by the authors: the urban ones. These were described in a very realistic way, with references to pop culture and the prevailing way of life in those years.
Some of the most representative authors were Alberto Fuguet (bad vibes), Giannina Braschi (Yo-Yo Boing!) and Edmundo Paz Soldán (Iris).