#AP Spanish Literature: Unit 6 - 20th Century Poetry & Theater 🎭

Hey there! Let's get you prepped for the AP Spanish Literature exam with a deep dive into Unit 6. This unit is all about 20th-century poetry and theater, a time of huge change and experimentation. We'll break down the key works, themes, and strategies to help you ace this section. Let's do this!

#🚀 Unit Overview: 20th-Century Literary Revolution

#Historical Context

• The 20th century was a rollercoaster of social and political change in Spain and Latin America. Think: revolutions, dictatorships, and a whole lot of questioning of the status quo.
• Authors used their work to address social injustice, political oppression, and the search for cultural identity.
• Experimentation was key! Writers broke away from traditional forms, especially in theater and poetry.

#🔗 Jump to Required Works

#🎭 Required Works

#6.1 La casa de Bernarda Alba – Federico García Lorca

#Summary

• A powerful drama about Bernarda Alba, a widow who imposes strict rules on her five daughters.
• Set in a small Spanish village, the play explores themes of repression, desire, and the limitations placed on women in a patriarchal society.
• The play is a pressure cooker of repressed emotions and conflicts within the family.

#Temas to Watch Out For

• La dualidad del ser (duality of being) 💡
• La construcción del género (construction of gender)
• El sistema patriarcal (patriarchal system)
• Las divisiones socioeconómicas (socioeconomic divisions)
• La asimilación y la marginación (assimilation and marginalization)
• La diversidad (diversity)
• El machismo (machismo)
• La tradición y la ruptura (tradition and rupture)
• La trayectoria y la transformación (trajectory and transformation)
• El amor y el desprecio (love and contempt)
• La comunicación o falta de comunicación (communication or lack of communication)
• La imagen pública y la imagen privada (public and private image)

#6.2 El hombre que se convirtió en perro – Osvaldo Dragún

#Summary

• A one-act play about a man, César, who becomes a performing dog due to financial hardship.
• A dark satire on how capitalism dehumanizes people.
• Explores themes of identity, power, and the loss of dignity when people are treated as commodities.

#Temas To Watch Out For

• Las sociedades en contacto (societies in contact)
• Las divisiones socioeconómicas (socioeconomic divisions)
• Las relaciones familiares (family relationships)
• Las relaciones de poder (power relationships)

#6.3 “Prendimiento de Antoñito el Camborio en el camino de Sevilla” – Federico García Lorca

#Summary

• A poem about the kidnapping and murder of Antoñito el Camborio, a young gypsy.
• Vividly depicts Antoñito's struggle and death.
• Explores themes of exclusion, bigotry, and the effects of social oppression.

#Temas To Watch Out For

• Las sociedades en contacto (societies in contact)
• Las relaciones de poder (power relationships)
• Las divisiones socioeconómicas (socioeconomic divisions)
• El individuo en su entorno (the individual in their environment)

#6.4 “Walking around” – Pablo Neruda

#Summary

• Neruda explores the complexities of urban life and his own existence.
• Addresses themes of alienation, hopelessness, and the loss of individuality in modern society.
• Makes the reader question their own environment and sense of satisfaction.

#Temas to Watch Out For

• La dualidad del ser (duality of being)
• La construcción de la realidad (construction of reality)
• El individuo en su entorno (the individual in their environment)
• La introspección (introspection)

#6.5 “Balada de los dos abuelos” – Nicolás Guillén

#Summary

• A poem honoring Guillén's two grandfathers, one of African descent and the other of Spanish descent.
• Celebrates his multicultural heritage.
• Examines the challenges of racial identity, colonial history, and the resilience of the Afro-Cuban community.
• A call for unity and emphasizes the shared humanity of all people.

#Temas to Watch Out For

• Las sociedades en contacto (societies in contact)
• Las relaciones interpersonales (interpersonal relationships)
• El tiempo y el espacio (time and space)

#6.6 “Mujer negra” – Nancy Morejón

#Summary

• A poem that celebrates Black women and their strength, resilience, and contributions to society.
• Addresses the historical and contemporary challenges faced by Black women.
• Highlights the beauty and cultural diversity of Black women.
• Emphasizes the intersections of race, gender, and identity.

#Temas to Watch Out For

• Las sociedades en contacto (societies in contact)
• Las relaciones interpersonales (interpersonal relationships)
• El tiempo y el espacio (time and space)

#6.7 “A Julia de Burgos” – Julia de Burgos

#Summary

• A poem that pays homage to Julia de Burgos as a symbol of strength, independence, and resistance.
• Addresses themes of identity, liberation, and the struggle for self-determination.
• Reaffirms the poet's unique voice.

#Temas to Watch Out For

• La dualidad del ser (duality of being)
• La construcción del género (construction of gender)
• El sistema patriarcal (patriarchal system)
• La introspección (introspection)

#6.8 “Peso ancestral” – Alfonsina Storni

#Summary

• A poem that explores gender roles, societal expectations, and the pressures placed on women.
• Investigates the weight of traditional norms and the desire to conform.
• A plea for women's freedom from repressive societal structures.
• A critique of the patriarchal system and a call for women to reclaim their independence.

#Temas to Watch Out For

• La dualidad del ser (duality of being)
• La construcción del género (construction of gender)
• El sistema patriarcal (patriarchal system)
• La introspección (introspection)

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#🎯 Final Exam Focus

#High-Priority Topics

• Themes: Identity, social justice, power dynamics, gender roles, cultural heritage, and the individual vs. society.
• Literary Devices: Pay attention to symbolism, imagery, metaphors, and how authors use language to convey their messages.
• Historical Context: Understand how the social and political climate influenced the authors and their works.
• Connections: Be ready to connect themes and ideas across different works in the unit.

#Common Question Types

• Multiple Choice: Expect questions that test your understanding of themes, literary devices, and historical context.
• Short Answer: Be prepared to analyze specific passages and explain their significance.
• Free Response: Practice writing essays that compare and contrast different works, focusing on key themes and literary techniques.

#Last-Minute Tips

• Time Management: Pace yourself during the exam. Don't spend too much time on any one question.
• Common Pitfalls: Don't just summarize the plot; analyze the deeper meanings and literary techniques.
• Strategies: Read the questions carefully, plan your responses, and use specific examples from the texts to support your arguments.

#📝 Practice Questions

Practice Question

#Multiple Choice Questions

1. In La casa de Bernarda Alba, the oppressive atmosphere of the house primarily symbolizes: a) The importance of family traditions. b) The freedom of women in rural Spain. c) The restrictive nature of patriarchal society. d) The beauty of Spanish architecture.

2. Which of the following best describes the main theme of El hombre que se convirtió en perro? a) The joys of working in the entertainment industry. b) The dehumanizing effects of capitalism. c) The importance of maintaining one's dignity. d) The benefits of cross-species communication.

3. In "Walking around," Neruda expresses a sense of: a) Joy and optimism about city life. b) Alienation and disillusionment with his surroundings. c) Deep appreciation for nature. d) Excitement about the future.

#Free Response Question

Prompt: Compare and contrast the portrayal of women in La casa de Bernarda Alba and "Peso ancestral." How do these works reflect the societal pressures and expectations placed on women in the 20th century? Support your response with specific textual evidence.

Point-by-Point Scoring Breakdown:

• Thesis (1 point): A clear statement that identifies the similarities and differences in the portrayal of women in both works.
• Analysis of La casa de Bernarda Alba (3 points):
  • Identification of the oppressive environment and its impact on women.
  • Discussion of the roles and expectations imposed on Bernarda's daughters.
  • Use of specific examples from the text to support the analysis.
• Analysis of "Peso ancestral" (3 points):
  • Explanation of the poem's critique of traditional gender roles.
  • Discussion of the emotional burden placed on women.
  • Use of specific examples from the poem to support the analysis.
• Comparison and Contrast (2 points):
  • Identification of similarities in the societal pressures faced by women in both works.
  • Explanation of the differences in how these pressures are portrayed (e.g., dramatic vs. poetic).
• Conclusion (1 point): A concluding statement that summarizes the main points and offers a final insight.

Good luck! You've got this! 💪