Juan Larrea, the Spanish writer living in exile in Mexico, refers to an article by André Breton (“Situación del surrealismo entre las dos guerras” [The State of Surrealism between the Two Wars]), in which the leader of the movement outlines a brief sketch of its history. Larrea discusses Surrealism’s goals and accomplishments during times of great confusion, as in the years between the wars. The critic notes that, though the movement is descended from the accursed artists of German romanticism, it has not driven any of its followers to suicide or insanity. It has, however, produced extreme exponents such as the painter Salvador Dalí, who has actually set a standard for shamelessness. Larrea also discusses the spiritual side of Surrealism that usually contributes an anti-Christian undertone to the works (in his view, there is nothing worthy of attention in those traditions.) As a counterpoint to that aspect, Larrea looks instead at primitive societies that elevated the witch doctor to the role of poet.