Aproximaciones a Julián del Casal y su obra poética

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to reflect on Julián del Casal’s poetic work in relationship with Latin American modernism, and on two elements that characterize modernist poetry in general, but acquire special prominence in Casal’s poetry: the pictorial effect and weariness. It will be called into question the perspective that has tried to define Casal’s poetry in terms of biographical aspects that, ultimately, seem insufficient to clarify some of the subtleties that his work suggests. Instead, Casal’s poetry will be considered a clear manifestation of modernism in its initial stage, despite the marginal place that this poet has occupied within this movement, unlike central figures such as José Martí or Rubén Darío. For this purpose, this paper will analyze specific passages of some of his poems that reveal both manifestations of modernist aesthetics as well as particular features that distinguish Casal’s poetic work.