LITERATURE OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF COLOMBIA: HISTORY, THEMES - LITERATURE - 2025

The literature of the independence of Colombia 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 themes of love. In this sense, a sample of this literature is the work of Juan de Castellanos (1522-1607).

Rafael Pombo, representative of the Colombian Independence literature

One of his works has the distinction of having been the longest poem ever written in Spanish. The work Elegías de Varones Ilustres de Indias (1588) made a detailed chronicle of the colonization of the Caribbean and the territories now occupied by Colombia and Venezuela.

During the Colombian independence, the majority of Colombian writers took sides with the ideas of freedom. The Colombian independence literature 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 wealth existing in their homeland. This heightened awareness reaffirmed his nationalism. He also fed in them the need to transform the economic and social situation of their nation.

Origin and history

First uprisings

As of 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 the facts that sustain them.

Among them, the promulgation of the North American Constitution (1787), the French Revolution (1789-1799) and the Cortes 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.

Reconquista and dictators

Later, with the return of Ferdinand VII to the throne in 1813 and the restoration of Spanish absolutism (1814-1820), the Spanish armies set out to reconquer the rebellious territories. Authoritarianism and iron control were imposed in all the American colonies as a way of restoring order.

This resulted in the emergence of a new political and literary figure who dubbed himself the "South American dictator." All the weapons, those of war and the literary ones, lined up on this character.

From these events 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 as opposed to an enlightened and dreamy America.

During the first half of the 19th century, these feelings of freedom and rejection towards Spain gave way to the literature of the independence of Colombia, in particular, and of Latin America, in general.

In this new literary vision, writing, society and politics were intimately related. In this way, the writers showed their concern to highlight the traditional aspects of reality. Likewise, they used literary art to make a social and moral critique of their environment.

Topics covered in the Colombian independence literature

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 mainstream at that time: Spanish-American Neoclassicism.

The literature of the independence of Colombia did not escape this influence. This literary trend 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.

Spanish-American romantics showed a tendency to see a future full of hope and progress after the independence process. They did not look back sentimentally like their European counterpart. 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 pro-independence struggles generated a fiery, impetuous and highly political literary production. Through them individual freedom was exalted against the oppression of the rulers.

-Romanticism sentimental

Then, once order and progress began to be installed 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, there is a fusion with another literary movement. This had started in the mid-nineteenth century under the influence of Spanish Realism.

This movement was known as Costumbrismo. Through this genre it was sought to reflect local customs and traditions.

characteristics

Rebellion

The characteristics of the Colombian independence literature all converge towards a rebellious facet. The oratory topics written for the speeches were eloquent.

Most of them had the intention of exposing political doctrines related or antagonistic to the speaker's thought.

Nationalism

Likewise, the texts of the different literary expressions were permeated 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 out 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 sentiments and scientific findings to being the vehicle for the propagation of political and social thought.

The ideas of human rights, conceived from the French Revolution, gain prominence. It begins to speak of the needs of man.

Nature exploration

Also during this period, the literature of the independence of Colombia also reached the natural sciences. The Colombian geography continues to be explored, this time intensively.

New investigations on flora, fauna and environment are initiated. 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)

Propeller of a poetry that reflects a feeling of skepticism and despair typical of the most genuine romantic spirit. From his inspiration, The Hour of Darkness (1855) was born.

José Joaquín Ortiz (1814-1892)

It gave life to a creative movement of poetry in a classic way and romantic spirit. From her pen came the first romantic novel in Colombian literature, María Dolores (1863).

Julio Arboleda (1817-1862)

One of the most prominent romantic poets in Colombia and author of the epic poem Gonzalo de Oyón (1883).

José Eusebio Caro (1817-1853)

The most representative poet of Colombian romanticism. He is the author of poems charged with melancholy feelings such as Being with you (1857).

Eugenio Díaz (1804-1865)

Writer of the genre of manners. His main work was Manuela (1858).

Jorge Isaacs (1837-1895)

Another renowned writer of manners. His masterpiece was Maria (1867).

Articles of interest

Literature of Discovery and Conquest in Colombia.

References

1. Don Quixote. (s / f). Colombian Literature. Retrieved on February 16, 2018, from donquijote.org.
2. Caputo, L.; Newton, P. and McColl, R. (2008). Colombia. Viva travel guides.

   Viva Publishing Network.

3. Velasco, S. (s / f). History and Anthology of Hispanic American Literature. Retrieved on February 16, 2018, from linguasport.com.
4. Footprint. (s / f). Colombian literature. Retrieved on February 16, 2018, from footprinttravelguides.com.
5. Menton, S. (1994). Colombian literature. In AJ Arnold, J. Rodríguez and JM Dash (editors), A History of Literature in the Caribbean: Hispanic and francophone regions, pp. 54-74. Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing.