Pablo Neruda (1904-1973), known as one of the most influential poets of the 20th century, was born Ricardo Eliecer Neftali Reyes Basoalto in Parral, Chile. His journey as a poet was filled with triumphs and challenges, from political roles to exile, and ultimately, receiving the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971.
As a child, Neruda's father disapproved of his writing, which pushed him to adopt the pen name Pablo Neruda, inspired by Jan Neruda, a Czech poet, or the violinist Wilma Neruda, as a means of distancing himself from his father's judgment.
Neruda was born to Jose del Carmen Reyes and Rosa Neftali Basoalto Opazo in 1904. Unfortunately, his mother passed away two months after his birth. At the age of ten, he had already written his first poem, and by 13, he proudly published "Enthusiasm and Perseverance" in a local newspaper. Despite his father's discouragement, Neruda received encouragement from Gabriela Mistral, the first Latin American woman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1945, and pursued his writing passion.
During his early career, Neruda wrote under the name Neftali Reyes and published numerous poems and essays in local magazines. However, in the mid-1920s, he legally changed his name to Pablo Neruda and attended Universidad de Chile in Santiago. Though he initially aspired to become a French teacher, Neruda soon realized his true calling was poetry. In 1923, he published his first book of verse, "Crepusculario," and gained praise for his collection of poems, "Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair," in 1924.
Despite facing criticism for its erotic content, "Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair" has sold millions of copies and is still regarded as one of the highest-selling Spanish poetry collections almost a century after its release.
In 1927, due to financial struggles, Neruda took an honorary consulship in Burma and performed diplomatic duties in Ceylon, Java, and Singapore. During this period, he also explored with his poetry and published two volumes of "Residence of Earth" in 1933 and 1935. It was also during this time that he married his first wife, Marijke Antonieta Hagenaar Vogelzang.
Neruda's life took a political turn when he returned to Chile in 1939 and was given diplomatic positions in Argentina and Spain. His friendship with renowned poets, including Federico Garcia Lorca, significantly influenced him during this period. Following the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936 and the murder of his friend Lorca, Neruda felt compelled to support the Republican movement against the Nationalists. In 1937, he wrote "Espana en el Corazon" to express the horrors he witnessed during the war.
In 1943, Neruda returned to Chile and was elected as a senator of the Republic. He joined the Communist party and protested against Chilean President Gonzales Videla, whom he had previously supported during the 1946 Presidential elections. However, Videla turned against Communism and banned it, leading Neruda to flee and go into hiding. In 1949, he escaped to Argentina on horseback and lived in exile until 1952. During this time, he released many works that reflected on his experiences with politics, exile, and his love for his third wife, Matilde Urrutia.
Eventually returning to Chile, which was under a failing government, Neruda was a strong supporter of presidential candidate Salvador Allende, and his influence as a globally acclaimed poet greatly assisted Allende's Chilean Socialist Party. Neruda's works have been translated into numerous languages, and his legacy continues to inspire aspiring poets and readers alike. In 1971, he was presented with the Nobel Prize for Literature, solidifying his place as one of the most exceptional and influential Latin American poets of his era.
In conclusion, Pablo Neruda's life was filled with twists and turns, but his love for poetry and involvement in political activism remained steadfast. His works continue to captivate readers and inspire future generations of poets, cementing his position as a literary icon in Chile and the world.
In 1970-1972, Neruda served as an ambassador to France and won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971. However, his declining health led him to return to Chile in 1973, where he witnessed the coup d'état of Allende by General Augusto Pinochet. Many speculate that his death in 1973 was not due to heart failure, as reported, but rather the result of being murdered by Pinochet.
Throughout his life, Pablo Neruda wrote countless poems, covering a wide range of themes and topics. His work explored love, loneliness, desire, destruction, and also delved into important political issues such as communism, oppression, and society.
Neruda's poetry can be found in various anthologies, including a collection of love poems.
Here are five of Neruda's poetry books that illustrate his brilliance:
Pablo Neruda, known as one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, left a lasting impact on literature with his thousands of profound works. His versatile and powerful writing style, influenced by his political beliefs, continues to captivate readers worldwide. Here are just a few of his most famous and influential poems.
Pablo Neruda's writing style evolved throughout his career, starting with the Romantic style of his first published collection, Crepusculario (1923). This style, also known as Symbolist poetry, used vivid imagery to allude to mystical and religious themes. As Neruda's work progressed, he transitioned to a Surrealist approach, using juxtapositions and fantastical elements to explore themes of universal decay and provoke thought. In his poem, 'Dream Horse', he creates a dream-like world by blending reality with fantasy.
Aside from his mastery of different styles, Neruda was also deeply involved in politics. A member of the Communist Party and a supporter of Chile's first Socialist president, he used his poetry to address societal issues and oppression. His most notable historical epic poem, Canto General (1950), celebrates the pre-Columbian history of Latin America and instills pride in its readers.
Neruda's career spanned over four decades, during which he wrote over 3,000 pages of poems. In 1946, he changed his name from Ricardo Eliecer Neftali Reyes Basoalto to Pablo Neruda, solidifying his place as a literary legend. His legacy continues to thrive, inspiring generations of poets and readers alike.
In 1973, Neruda passed away at the age of 69, with speculation that he was murdered under the orders of Chile's dictator, Pinochet. Despite his untimely death, his profound works continue to live on and impact the world of literature.
Pablo Neruda is a renowned poet known for his profound exploration of various themes in his books of poetry. Through his writing, he delved into complex subjects such as love, loneliness, desperation, oppression, communism, and society.
