Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This article analyzes the literary figure of Enrique Jardiel Poncela through the lens of a fundamental tension between popular appeal and avant-garde aesthetics. On the one hand, Jardiel understands literature as a profession and actively seeks a broad audience; on the other, he strongly asserts his artistic individuality and upholds a demanding concept of literary originality, often expressing disdain for mass audiences. This apparent contradiction is resolved through his systematic use of parody, which enables him to reconcile formal experimentation with accessibility. The study traces the development of parody in Jardiel’s work, from his early contributions to humorous magazines to its full realization in his parodic sentimental novels. Over time, parody evolves from a burlesque imitation relying on anachronism and linguistic play into a more sophisticated, self-reflexive strategy that foregrounds fictionality and aligns with the principles of dehumanized art. Consequently, Jardiel emerges as a representative of a popular avant-garde, renewing literary genres while maintaining a strong connection with readers.
DOI: 10.5209/dice.107623
Author: José Manuel Alonso Feito
Institution: University of Primorska
Language: English
Subfield: Literature and Literary Theory
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7225157140