1902 Generation: Literary Renewal in Spain
Breaking with Realism
While literary history often distinguishes between the Generation of ’98 and Modernism, both movements share a crucial commonality: a rejection of late 19th-century Realism. They viewed Realism as bourgeois, stale, and mundane. This shared rejection led them to explore new forms of expression, intensified by the social and political upheaval following the loss of Spain’s last colonies. This period, culminating in 1902, saw a surge of critical perspectives, particularly within the Generation of ’98, but also evident in the works of major figures like Rubén Darío and Antonio Machado, who bridged both movements. It is therefore more accurate to speak of the Generation of 1902.
The Pivotal Year: 1902
1902 marked a turning point, with the emergence of four novels that revolutionized narrative formulas:
- Sonata de Otoño by Ramón del Valle-Inclán, embracing Modernist aesthetics.
- Camino de Perfección by Pío Baroja.
- Amor y Pedagogía by Miguel de Unamuno.
- La Voluntad by Azorín.
These novels introduced key innovations:
- Subjectivism: Reality is filtered through the narrator-protagonist’s perspective.
- Emphasis on Narration: A heightened focus on the narrative process itself.
- Fragmented Narrative: Significant time jumps disrupt linear storytelling.
- Dialogue as Expression: Renewed emphasis on dialogue to convey meaning.
- Philosophical Underpinnings: Characters and plots reflect the authors’ worldviews.
Shared Characteristics and Defining Differences
Both movements share characteristics, but Modernism exhibits certain traits more intensely. For instance, Rubén Darío’s poetry evolved from a focus on pure beauty to engagement with human struggles (“Lo fatal”) and societal concerns (“Salutación del optimista”). Valle-Inclán followed a similar trajectory, from Sonata de Otoño to the esperpento genre. Antonio Machado transitioned from Symbolism to a distinct ’98 style in Campos de Castilla. Unamuno and Azorín consistently challenged conventional forms, particularly in their essays addressing Spain’s destiny. Baroja, to a lesser extent, shared this evolutionary path.
Key Authors and Trends
Beyond the aforementioned authors, key characteristics of both movements include:
- Originality: A conscious departure from established literary traditions.
- Engagement with the Past: The Generation of ’98 sought inspiration in Spain’s past glory, while Modernists looked to the past for an escape from industrial society.
- Weariness of Life: A sense of boredom, skepticism, and apathy permeates their works, reflected in disillusioned characters and a focus on destiny.
- Awareness of Finitude: The gap between thought and action, and the inevitability of death, contribute to an existential angst.
More specifically associated with Modernism are:
- Decadence: A melancholic fascination with the disappearing aristocratic world.
- Escapism: A yearning for distant lands and times, reflected in exoticism and cosmopolitanism, with Paris as a central hub.
The Generation of ’98, conversely, is primarily marked by its focus on Spain’s socio-political situation, often with a hopeful outlook for change (though not in the case of Valle-Inclán).