The evolution of identity in spanish-speaking poets of the 20th century: the concept of happiness

Abstract

The present article tries to analyze the evolution of the personal identity of the poets who have written in the Spanish language during the 20th century through the concept of happiness that they project in their poems. Undoubtedly, the concept of happiness is mutable, like any cultural construct, so it has been subject to revisions and modifications as the conceptions and priorities of society have changed throughout the 20th century. In this sense, we intend to analyze the way in which Spanish-speaking women have reflected in their poetic creation their own understanding of the concept of happiness throughout the 20th century, which represents a historical turning point in the struggle for civil rights and legal equity legal on the part of the female population. In order to attain our objectives, we will examine poems by six poets of the first half of the 20th century -six Spanish and six Hispanic Americans- Lucía Sánchez Saornil, Concha Méndez, Ángela Figuera Aymerich, Delmira Agustini, Juana de Ibarbourou and Dulce María Loynaz. Indelibly linked to identity construction, the personal and collective concept of happiness has been evolving with the incorporation of women in the public sphere. These six authors are an excellent example of it.