Meaning: This quote by Martha Gellhorn, a renowned American journalist, captures the resilience and indomitable spirit of the Spanish people during and after the Spanish Civil War. The war, which lasted from 1936 to 1939, was a brutal and devastating conflict between the Nationalist forces led by General Francisco Franco and the Republican government, supported by various groups including communists, anarchists, and socialists. The war left a deep and lasting impact on the Spanish population, both those who remained in the country and those who went into exile.

Gellhorn's words reflect the enduring strength and resilience of the Spanish people in the face of immense adversity. She emphasizes the profound impact of the war on the individuals who lived through it, both within Spain and in exile. The "desperate years of their own war" alludes to the intense suffering and hardship experienced by the people of Spain during the conflict. The "six years of repression inside Spain" refers to the repressive regime established by Franco following the Nationalist victory, characterized by censorship, political repression, and the suppression of civil liberties. The "six years of horror in exile" highlights the plight of the many Spaniards who were forced to flee the country and endure the hardships of life in exile.

Gellhorn's assertion that "these people remain intact in spirit" speaks to the resilience and strength of the Spanish people in the face of such profound suffering. Despite the immense challenges they faced, Gellhorn emphasizes that the spirit of the Spanish people endured. This resilience is attributed to their "transcendent faith," which suggests a deep and unwavering belief in something greater than themselves. This faith may have taken various forms, including religious faith, faith in the cause for which they fought, or a more general faith in the possibility of a better future.

The line "they have never won, and yet they have never accepted defeat" encapsulates the paradoxical nature of the Spanish people's experience. Despite the ultimate victory of the Nationalist forces and the imposition of Franco's authoritarian regime, Gellhorn asserts that the Spanish people never truly accepted defeat. This defiance in the face of adversity speaks to their unyielding spirit and refusal to be completely subjugated by the forces that sought to oppress them.

Overall, Gellhorn's quote serves as a powerful testament to the resilience, strength, and enduring spirit of the Spanish people in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War. It acknowledges the immense suffering and hardship they endured, both during the war and in the years that followed, while also celebrating their unwavering resilience and refusal to be defeated. The quote captures the profound impact of the war on the Spanish people and pays tribute to their enduring spirit in the face of adversity.

In summary, Martha Gellhorn's quote reflects the enduring strength and resilience of the Spanish people in the face of immense adversity. It acknowledges the profound impact of the Spanish Civil War on the individuals who lived through it, both within Spain and in exile. The quote celebrates the unwavering resilience and refusal to be defeated exhibited by the Spanish people, despite the immense suffering and hardship they endured.