Political Influence on the Works of Pablo Neruda
Pablo Neruda was an important Chilean poet and politician. His early works were mostly love poems, but as he matured and gained life experience he began to write and think more politically. His poetry gave a voice to a population that felt ignored by their government and by the upper classes. The poems gave courage and pride to the struggling working class. Chilean workers memorized his works by heart and gathered to hear their poet recite his writing. "In the midst of the arena of America's struggles I saw that my human task was none other than to join the extensive forces of the organized masses of the people, to join with life and soul, with suffering and hope, but it is only from this great popular stream that the necessary changes can arise for writers and for nations” (Neruda).
I explain a few thingsYou are going to ask: and where are the lilacs?
and the poppy-petalled metaphysics? and the rain repeatedly spattering its words and drilling them full of apertures and birds? I'll tell you all the news. I lived in a suburb, a suburb of Madrid, with bells, and clocks, and trees. From there you could look out over Castille's dry face: a leather ocean. My house was called the house of flowers, because in every cranny geraniums burst: it was a good-looking house with its dogs and children. Remember, Raul? Eh, Rafel? Federico, do you remember from under the ground my balconies on which the light of June drowned flowers in your mouth? Brother, my brother! Everything loud with big voices, the salt of merchandises, pile-ups of palpitating bread, the stalls of my suburb of Arguelles with its statue like a drained inkwell in a swirl of hake: oil flowed into spoons, a deep baying of feet and hands swelled in the streets, metres, litres, the sharp measure of life, stacked-up fish, the texture of roofs with a cold sun in which the weather vane falters, the fine, frenzied ivory of potatoes, wave on wave of tomatoes rolling down the sea. And one morning all that was burning, one morning the bonfires leapt out of the earth devouring human beings - and from then on fire, gunpowder from then on, and from then on blood. Bandits with planes and Moors, bandits with finger-rings and duchesses, bandits with black friars spattering blessings came through the sky to kill children and the blood of children ran through the streets simply like children's blood. Jackals that the jackals would despise, stones that the dry thistle would bite on and spit out, vipers that the vipers would abominate! Face to face with you I have seen the blood of Spain tower like a tide to drown you in one wave of pride and knives! Treacherous generals: see my dead house, look at broken Spain : from every house burning metal flows instead of flowers, from every socket of Spain Spain emerges and from every dead child a rifle with eyes, and from every crime bullets are born which will one day find the bull's eye of your hearts. And you'll ask: why doesn't his poetry speak of dreams and leaves and the great volcanoes of his native land? Come and see the blood in the streets. Come and see The blood in the streets. Come and see the blood In the streets! |
Spain in the HeartNeruda's political career began at the young age of twenty three when he took his first post as consul in Burma (memoirs 66). He held several diplomatic positions various location in Asia, South America, Mexico and Spain. However, none of his earlier diplomatic positions had as significant of an impact on his life as his tenure in Spain. Whilst serving as consul for emigration in Spain he had become friends with many authors of the Generation 27 such as Garcia Lorca, Alberti, Miguel Hernandez, Luis Cernuda, Leon Felipe. The Generation 27 group was very sympathetic to the plight of the workers. This group of friends greatly influenced Neruda's political beliefs and subsequent poetry in a profound way. Neruda recalls that Rafael Alberti was “a poet of the people and of the revolution... his courageous attitude deeply influenced my political ideas” (Felstiner).
The Spanish people were dived by socioeconomics and class into two sides: the Republics and the Nationalists. The conflict eventually turned into a civil war which lasted from 1936-1939. During this time of turmoil many people were murdered. Anyone who opposed the fascist government was susceptible to violence or assassination. Communists, socialists, intellectuals and artists were specifically persecuted by the nationalist party. In his memoirs Neruda claims that for him the war began when his friend went missing. Federico Garcia Lorca, a renowned poet and playwright, was arrested in Granada and murdered the next day. Neruda was devastated to learn of the death of his gentle friend. In his memoir Neruda states that Lorca was “not merely shot, he was assassinated.” The death of his friend affected him deeply. He described it as the most painful event in those years of struggle (Memoirs 124). As a result, Neruda was unable to remain indifferent towards politics. He got involved in the struggle by helping those who were in danger to migrate out of Spain. He also wrote a book of poetry during that time called Spain in My Heart which reflected on the Spanish experience and the war. The poetry was inspirational for the soldiers who were known to carry it with them to the front lines. The poems became a part of the discourse on the war of the people. In his memoirs he wrote that the war changed his poetry forever: ”as the first bullets ripped into the guitars of Spain, when blood instead of music gushed out of them, my poetry stopped dead like a ghost in the streets of human anguish and a rush of roots and blood surged up through it. From then on, my road meets everyman’s road. And suddenly I see that from the south of solitude I have moved to the north, which is the people, the people whose sword, whose handkerchief my humble poetry wants to be, to dry the sweat of its vast sorrows and give it a weapon in its struggle for bread” (memoirs 149). The most significant poem from this period is I Explain a Few Things. “whereas some poems in Spain in the Heart are little more than rhyming propaganda, crude invective or noisy calls to arms, I Explain a Few Things is so compelling because it convincingly dramatizes Neruda’s relinquishing of his former, self absorbed aesthetic when faced with the collective horror that now surrounded him” (Moran 78). In this poem Neruda describes the scene around him. The poem begins with a question "why doesn't his poetry speak of dreams and leaves and the great volcanoes of his native land?" This line is meant to dismiss the bourgeois demand that poetry be simply beautiful and spiritual and apolitical. Surrounded by the horrors of war, he could no longer write of these trivial things. He mentions the flowers, which are meant to represent the beauty and the people of Spain. "Flowers in your mouth" is of course a representation of death. He bitterly recalls the assassination of his friend Lorca; "Federico, do you remember/from under the ground?" This line also signals the change in the tone of the poem. From this point on the poem is more polemic. Eventually the line "look at the blood in the streets" is repeated. Recordings of Pablo Neruda reading the poem highlight the mimic of sobbing though the repetition of syllables. The poem is sad and at times desperate. Neruda wanted the readers to see the horrors of war and to understand the atrocities being committed by the fascists in Spain. Eventually the war ended and with it Neruda's post in Spain. The Chilean government decided to remove him because if his vocal support for the resistance. Franco began a totalitarian dictatorship that would endure until his death in 1975. Thousands and thousands of Spaniards walked across the border to a life of exile while other soldiers of the resistance were sent to prison or assassinated. The exiles left behind their entire lives to start fresh in France. Most of them lived in refugee camps with little clothing or food. (Please see "Women of the Spanish Civil War" to learn more about the soldiers and their subsequent persecution.) The bloody war left a lasting impression on the poet. He returned to Chile and immediately began to make public speeches to the common man. He once read the entire book of Spain in my Heart to the Porter’s Union. The crowd was so moved they began to weep. From that moment on Neruda considered it his mission to speak to and for the common man (Moran 86). It was also during this time that Neruda was given a mission to bring as many Spanish refugees to Chile as possible. This is a project he takes great pride in having been a part of. The Spanish who had fled by foot into France were becoming desperate. His coworkers in France were not delighted to see him. They made no secret that they detested his mission. Some of them made his job as difficult as possible. He continued with his cause despite their actions. He spent the days interviewing and selecting the Spanish exiles (Moran 87). He would later describe this mission as more important than any of his poetry (Moran 87). |
Diplomat in Mexico
In the following years Neruda served as consular in Mexico. His time in Mexico clearly impacted his political beliefs. During this time Neruda became “immersed in the philosophy, goals, and consequences of the Mexican revolution and was well acquainted with muralismo and its proponents” (Feinstein 250). He watched as the workers struggled. In his memoir Neruda talks about a strike at a factory. The striker’s wives got together and decided to talk to the president. They wanted to tell him their troubles to see if he would do anything to help. They brought the president flowers however the guards would not let them speak to the president. They refused to relay the message that their children were starving. Instead they shot all of the women. Neruda was horrified that the funeral was rushed and the newspapers never discussed the incident. The general public was not allowed to speak out against the government. The horrors he witnessed in Mexico convinced him to quit his consular position. In his memoirs he said that “México lives on in me like a small stray eagle circulating through my veins. Only death will fold its wings over my sleep soldier’s heart” (memoirs 170). On his return to Chile he stopped in Peru where he wrote one his most famous poems "Alturas de Macchu Picchu".
Return to Chile
When he returned to Chile, Neruda became actively involved in Chilean politics to improve the lives and government of the country he loved. He officially joined the communist party and was elected to the Communist party senate in 1945. While in holding that seat he spoke out against the ruling party led by Gonzalez Videla. Videlahad betrayed his communist supporters by banning the organization soon after his election. “According to González Videla and his sympathizers, the repression of the Communists was necessary to thwart their plots against his government, although no evidence has been found to substantiate that claim (Country-data). Other critics believe he acted under pressure from the United States in order to create a closer economic bond. During this time Neruda published poetry abroad that spoke of the injustice in his country. Because of the publications the Chilean Supreme Court removed him from the senate and ordered his arrest in 1948. He had delivered a critical speech to the national parliament in his defense which was later printed under the name Yo Acuso. He advised the parliamant that "in Chile there is no freedom of speech, people do not live free from fear. Hundreds of men that fight so that our homeland can live free from misery are persecuted, mistreated, insulted, and condemned" (Historia). His appeal to parliament was unsuccessful and left him with no choice but to go into exile.
The Poet in Exile
Neruda spent the following three years in exile. He hid in the homes of workers and had to move from house to house frequently. Eventually he escaped into Argentina on horseback. He avoided main trails as he and his companions traveled through the forest and snowy Andes (January). From Argentina he traveled to many other countries including, France, Italy and Switzerland. His political background caused him difficulty in Europe. He was expelled from Italy for his communist connections however public outrage forced the Italian officials to permit his stay (Feinstein 280). Many European governments were suspicious of communist sympathizers because of the Cold War.
It was during this time of exile that he wrote what he called his “most important book”: Canto General (memoirs 173). The fifteen section poetry book is mostly polemical and written in epic poetry style. The straight forward writing tells the Latin American story as it follows prehistory through the 20th century. “The combination of plain language and history filtered through ideology is soporific, and the reader longs for some good old decadent Symbolism or Surrealism to come to the rescue. But at times the poem does have a grand sweep, and a cumulative power that makes it one of his outstanding works” (January). The poems explain how people were oppressed and exploited by the conquerors and subsequent governments. The book was originally published in Mexico but copies were distributed in Chile quietly.
It was during this time of exile that he wrote what he called his “most important book”: Canto General (memoirs 173). The fifteen section poetry book is mostly polemical and written in epic poetry style. The straight forward writing tells the Latin American story as it follows prehistory through the 20th century. “The combination of plain language and history filtered through ideology is soporific, and the reader longs for some good old decadent Symbolism or Surrealism to come to the rescue. But at times the poem does have a grand sweep, and a cumulative power that makes it one of his outstanding works” (January). The poems explain how people were oppressed and exploited by the conquerors and subsequent governments. The book was originally published in Mexico but copies were distributed in Chile quietly.
The Return to Chilean Politics
After being in exile for three years, Neruda returned to his beloved Chile. Once again he began close ties with the communist party. In 1969 he was appointed an honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters to which he was made an honorary doctorate from the catholic university of Chile (Instituto Cervantes). His political activity gained him a lot of attention. The following year the communist party nominated his as candidate for presidential elections. He accepted the nomination only on the condition that his resignation be accepted when tendered. The communist party made it clear the Popular Unity that Neruda would resign once they had selected a single candidate (Memoirs 336). Neruda felt that the country would never support a communist leader. More and more people attended his rallies as time went by. He had thoughts of what it would be like to be president in a country that was “wholly untamed, patently unable to solve its problems, deeply in debt-and probably one of the most ungrateful of all." Eventually Salvador Allende was nominated. In his memoirs Neruda recalls reading speeches for his campaign in previous elections. He was satisfied with Allende and so tendered his resignation. To his and the popular unity’s great surprise Allende won. At last the dream Neruda had fought for was being realized.
Neruda was appointed consulate to the Paris embassy where he worked form 1970 to 1973. Whilst there he dealt with the new reputation of Chile. In his memoirs he notes that the country suddenly came into existence. Before the Allende administration few noticed it or interfered with its politics.
In 1971 Neruda was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature. An honor that has only been awarded to one other writer in his country, his mentor, Gabriela Mistral (Instituto Cervantes). He traveled to Stockholm to accept the award. In his acceptance speech he explained the connections between politics and poetry. He explained to the audience that "In the midst of the arena of America's struggles I saw that my human task was none other than to join the extensive forces of the organized masses of the people, to join with life and soul, with suffering and hope, but it is only from this great popular stream that the necessary changes can arise for writers and for nations...” he reaffirmed that he writes for the people as he had decided when he “saw so many honorable misfortunes, lone victories, splendid defeats” (Nobelprize). His speech was heartfelt and was met with a grand applause.
The following year he was also awarded the Lenin Peace Prize. After receiving the award he decided to return to his country (Memoirs 364). He had been ill with cancer for months. After several surgeries he decided to return to Chile to die (Feinstein). He did not want the media to know the real reason for his resignation and so he spread the rumor that Allende wanted him to return due to the political problems the nation was facing.
He was received in Chile with a grand celebration in the National Stadium (Fienstein). It was to be his last public appearance. He stayed in his home, La Isla Negra where he continued to write until his death. Much of his works had become less political however the civil unrest in the nation and political confrontations with the United States government such as the attempted embargo on Chilean copper inspired Neruda to write a book entitled Incitation Al Nixonicido Y Alabanza de La Revolution. The political poetry within this book is briefer than his older political works. The book was his contribution to the March parliamentary elections. He appealed to the intellectuals of Chile to do everything possible to avoid a civil war in Chile.
Neruda was appointed consulate to the Paris embassy where he worked form 1970 to 1973. Whilst there he dealt with the new reputation of Chile. In his memoirs he notes that the country suddenly came into existence. Before the Allende administration few noticed it or interfered with its politics.
In 1971 Neruda was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature. An honor that has only been awarded to one other writer in his country, his mentor, Gabriela Mistral (Instituto Cervantes). He traveled to Stockholm to accept the award. In his acceptance speech he explained the connections between politics and poetry. He explained to the audience that "In the midst of the arena of America's struggles I saw that my human task was none other than to join the extensive forces of the organized masses of the people, to join with life and soul, with suffering and hope, but it is only from this great popular stream that the necessary changes can arise for writers and for nations...” he reaffirmed that he writes for the people as he had decided when he “saw so many honorable misfortunes, lone victories, splendid defeats” (Nobelprize). His speech was heartfelt and was met with a grand applause.
The following year he was also awarded the Lenin Peace Prize. After receiving the award he decided to return to his country (Memoirs 364). He had been ill with cancer for months. After several surgeries he decided to return to Chile to die (Feinstein). He did not want the media to know the real reason for his resignation and so he spread the rumor that Allende wanted him to return due to the political problems the nation was facing.
He was received in Chile with a grand celebration in the National Stadium (Fienstein). It was to be his last public appearance. He stayed in his home, La Isla Negra where he continued to write until his death. Much of his works had become less political however the civil unrest in the nation and political confrontations with the United States government such as the attempted embargo on Chilean copper inspired Neruda to write a book entitled Incitation Al Nixonicido Y Alabanza de La Revolution. The political poetry within this book is briefer than his older political works. The book was his contribution to the March parliamentary elections. He appealed to the intellectuals of Chile to do everything possible to avoid a civil war in Chile.
The Coup d’etat and the Death of the Poet
On September eleventh the communists woke up to their worst fears. The US supported military junta staged a coup d’ etat which is described in detail on the page titled “Chile.” The military demanded the president Allende leave the country. They offered him safe passage however he refused. He announced over the radio that he would not leave the country. He would rather die than hand over the country. In an impassioned final speech he assured the nation that democracy would be restored to the country.
Matilde did not want anyone to speak about the coup d' etat with Neruda however, it was all Neruda wanted to talk about. He was very frail and the news made him more ill (Feinstein 414). He was unable to eek medical assistance for five days because of mandatory curfew. During that time the Army went to his house to arrest him. The soldier decided to leave him when he saw how sick he was. His home in Santiago, La Chascona, was ransacked because of his political affiliations. What the soldiers didn’t take they destroyed. Matilde found out about the raid but chose not to disclose the information to Neruda because of his poor health. They again encountered difficulties with the police when they went to the hospital in an ambulance. The soldiers made everyone evacuate the vehicle while they searched it. Neruda must have been deeply troubled for his country as he requested that Matilde wipe the tears that were streaming down his face (Feinstein 414).
Pablo Neruda died a mere twelve days after the coup d’ etat. His family and friends gathered in his Santiago home, La Chascona, and held the funeral amongst the ruins left by the Army. During the ceremony a few soldiers arrived to offer their condolences. They announced that a mourning period of three days was being offered by Pinochet however the period began at the point of his death which meant there were only a few hours left for mourning. His funeral is noted in many books as the first protest against Pinochet. The funeral was surrounded by soldiers and police who were armed however they did not interfere with the ceremony. Mourners read their own poetry and that of Neruda.
Matilde did not want anyone to speak about the coup d' etat with Neruda however, it was all Neruda wanted to talk about. He was very frail and the news made him more ill (Feinstein 414). He was unable to eek medical assistance for five days because of mandatory curfew. During that time the Army went to his house to arrest him. The soldier decided to leave him when he saw how sick he was. His home in Santiago, La Chascona, was ransacked because of his political affiliations. What the soldiers didn’t take they destroyed. Matilde found out about the raid but chose not to disclose the information to Neruda because of his poor health. They again encountered difficulties with the police when they went to the hospital in an ambulance. The soldiers made everyone evacuate the vehicle while they searched it. Neruda must have been deeply troubled for his country as he requested that Matilde wipe the tears that were streaming down his face (Feinstein 414).
Pablo Neruda died a mere twelve days after the coup d’ etat. His family and friends gathered in his Santiago home, La Chascona, and held the funeral amongst the ruins left by the Army. During the ceremony a few soldiers arrived to offer their condolences. They announced that a mourning period of three days was being offered by Pinochet however the period began at the point of his death which meant there were only a few hours left for mourning. His funeral is noted in many books as the first protest against Pinochet. The funeral was surrounded by soldiers and police who were armed however they did not interfere with the ceremony. Mourners read their own poetry and that of Neruda.