por The Colombian independence literature It is the set of literary works produced within the framework of the independence process of the Viceroyalty of New Granada during the 19th century. This meant a substantive change with respect to the New Granada literature of the previous century.
During Spanish rule, the main themes were conquest narratives, Indian chronicles, religious devotion, and love themes. In this sense, a sample of this literature is the work of Juan de Castellanos (1522-1607).
One of his works has the distinction of being the longest poem ever written in Spanish. The work Elegies of Illustrious Men of the Indies (1588) made a detailed chronicle of the colonization of the Caribbean and the territories now occupied by Colombia and Venezuela.
During Colombian Independence, most Colombian writers took sides with the ideas of freedom. The literature of the independence of Colombia was strongly influenced by the political motivations that predominated in that period. The writers became very passionate and emotional.
On the other hand, a group of intellectuals began to become aware of the riches existing in their homeland. This heightened awareness reaffirmed his nationalism. It also fueled in them the need to transform the economic and social situation of their nation.
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Origin and history
first uprisings
Starting in 1810, the first uprisings against the colonial domination imposed from Spain began to take place in Latin America. These movements took shape in the midst of an atmosphere of liberality motivated by facts that support them.
Among them, the promulgation of the North American Constitution (1787), the French Revolution (1789-1799) and the Courts of Cádiz (1810-1814) stand out. Between 1811 and 1825, all the Spanish colonies in America (with the exception of Cuba and Puerto Rico) declared their independence.
Reconquest and the dictators
Subsequently, with the return of Ferdinand VII to the throne in 1813 and the restoration of Spanish absolutism (1814-1820), the Spanish armies launched to reconquer the revolted territories. In all the American colonies, authoritarianism and iron control were imposed as a way of restoring order.
This resulted in the rise of a new political and literary figure who was dubbed the «South American dictator.» On this character all the weapons were lined up, those of war and the literary ones.
From these facts a bad image of Spain began to be forged in the conscience of the Americans. The vision of a fanatical and intolerant Spanish nation took shape in opposition to an enlightened and dreamy America.
During the first half of the 19th century, these feelings of freedom and rejection of Spain gave way to the literature on the independence of Colombia, in particular, and of Latin America, in general.
In this new literary vision, writing, society and politics were closely related. In this way, the writers showed their concern for highlighting the costumbrist aspects of reality. Likewise, they used literary art to carry out a social and moral criticism of their environment.
Topics covered in the literature of Colombian independence
Feelings of patriotism and liberation
The beginning of the independence movements fostered the rise of the patriotic and liberating spirit in the American colonies. These movements were expressed through the dominant current at that time: Hispanic American Neoclassicism.
The literature of the independence of Colombia did not escape this influence. This literary current was characterized by a poetry that sang to the natural beauty of the New Continent.
hope and progress
Gradually, and thanks to cultural contacts with England and France, there is a transition towards themes typical of Romanticism. This current dominated the literary panorama of Colombia and Latin America until the end of the 19th century.
The Spanish-American romantics showed a tendency to see a future full of hope and progress after the independence process. They did not look to the past with a sentimental air like their European counterparts. Rather, they focused on the future challenges that their new status as free people would bring.
-Social romanticism
The first stage of Spanish-American Romanticism was known as Social Romanticism (1830-1860). At this stage, the independence struggles generated a fiery, impetuous literary production with a marked political overtone. Through them, individual freedom was exalted against the oppression of the rulers.
-Sentimental romanticism
Then, once order and progress began to settle in America, sentimental Romanticism (1860-1890) appeared. Literature then becomes subjective. It recovers its original purity and sings of beauty. The authors leave aside the relationships of that beauty with the real world and its problems.
Reflection of local customs and traditions
Finally, a merger with another literary movement occurs. This had begun in the mid-nineteenth century under the influence of Spanish Realism.
This movement was known as Costumbrismo. Through this genre, the aim was to reflect local customs and traditions.
Characteristics of the literature of the Independence in Colombia
Rebellion
The characteristics of the literature of the independence of Colombia all converge towards a rebellious facet. The speaking themes written for the speeches were eloquent.
Most of them had the intention of exposing similar or antagonistic political doctrines to the thought of the speaker.
Nationalism
Likewise, the texts of the different literary expressions were impregnated with an exacerbated nationalism. The written word configured an idea of nation.
A nationalist language appears that speaks of the freedom, equality and rights of the Creoles, mestizos and blacks of the viceroyalty of New Granada. Journalism increased and people began to speak against the Spanish.
In this way, the raison d’être of the literary activity of the pre-independence stage is transformed. It goes from exalting beauty, goodness, religious feelings and scientific findings to being the vehicle for the propagation of political and social thought.
The ideas of human rights, gestated from the French Revolution, take precedence. It begins to talk about the needs of man.
nature exploration
Also during this period, the literature of the independence of Colombia also reaches the natural sciences. The Colombian geography continues to be explored, this time intensively.
New investigations on flora, fauna and the environment are started. The results of these research expeditions generate writings in which the author’s sensitivity when describing biosystems exceeds the cold scientific reality.
Works and authors
Rafael Pombo (1833-1912)
Promoter of a poetry that reflects a feeling of skepticism and hopelessness typical of the most genuine romantic spirit. From his inspiration, The Hour of Darkness (1855) was born.
Jose Joaquin Ortiz (1814-1892)
He gave life to a creative movement of a poetry of classical form and romantic spirit. From his pen came the first romantic novel in Colombian literature, María Dolores (1863).
Julio Arboleda (1817-1862)
One of Colombia’s leading romantic poets and author of the epic poem Gonzalo de Oyón (1883).
Jose Eusebio Caro (1817-1853)
The most representative poet of Colombian romanticism. He is the author of poems loaded with feelings of melancholy such as Being with you (1857).
Eugenio Diaz (1804-1865)
Writer of the costumbrista genre. His main work was Manuela (1858).
George Isaacs (1837-1895)
Another renowned costumbrismo writer. His masterpiece was Maria (1867).
Articles of interest
Literature of the Discovery and Conquest in Colombia.
References
Don Quixote. (s/f). Colombian Literature. Retrieved on February 16, 2018, from donquijote.org.
Caputo, L.; Newton, P. & McColl, R. (2008). Colombia. Long live travel guides.
Long live Publishing Network.
Velasco, S. (s/f). History and anthology of Spanish American literature. Retrieved on February 16, 2018, from linguasport.com.
footprint. (s/f). Colombian literature. Retrieved on February 16, 2018, from footprinttravelguides.com.
Menton, S. (1994). Colombian literature. In AJ Arnold, J. Rodríguez, and JM Dash (eds.), A History of Literature in the Caribbean: Hispanic and francophone regions, pp. 54-74. Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing.