STYLISTIC INNOVATIONS OF GUSTAVO ADOLFO BÉCQUER: FROM ROMANTIC RHETORIC TO MODERNIST POETICS

Sokolova Olga Konstantinovna

This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the work of Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer as a transitional phenomenon between Spanish Romanticism and Modernist literature. Usingт comparative stylistic analysis and a historical-literary approach, it examines the uniqueness of Bécquer’s artistic writing, which fundamentally differs from that of his contemporaries—José de Espronceda, the Duke of Rivas, and other representatives of the Romantic school. Special attention is given to the analysis of the "prose poem" as an independent literary genre created by Bécquer, characterized by a distinct morphology and internal architecture. The musical organization of Bécquer’s texts is explored, highlighting their inclination toward melodic simplicity and virtuosic mastery of assonance techniques. The conceptual revolution in the understanding of the poetic act carried out by Bécquer is analyzed, who transformed the lyrical utterance from a public declaration into an intimate self-revelation. The influence of Bécquer’s innovations on the development of 20th-century Spanish literature—including Modernism, the Generation of ’98, and the formation of the "pure poetry" aesthetics of Juan Ramón Jiménez—is considered. Particular emphasis is placed on the impact of Bécquer’s prose technique on the evolution of the modern Spanish short story. It is concluded that Bécquer’s work should be regarded not only as the highest achievement of late Spanish Romanticism but also as a precursor of fundamental trends in 20th-century European literature.

Keywords:Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, Spanish Romanticism, prose poem, comparative stylistic analysis, musicality of verse, poetic inspiration, genre boundaries, Modernism.