20th-Century Spanish Literature and Journalism
Spanish Literature in the 20th Century
The 20th century saw a significant rise of the essay in Spanish literature, reflecting a turbulent historical period. Several factors contributed to this boom, including a crisis of traditional perspectives, radical social transformations, wars, accelerated historical change, and increased individualism. The essay became a vehicle for reflecting on the increasingly complex realities of this era.
1. Early 20th Century
1.1. The Essay in the Generation of ’98
Following the colonial crisis of 1898, authors of the Generation of ’98 focused on regenerating the country. Their essays explored philosophical, historical, and sociological themes. Writers like Miguel de Unamuno (The Agony of Christianity, The Tragic Sense of Life) and Antonio Machado (Juan de Mairena) grappled with existential questions and the search for meaning. Regarding Spain, authors like Ángel Ganivet (Idearium Español), Azorín (The Route of Don Quixote, Castilla), and Ramiro de Maeztu (Defensa de la Hispanidad) sought to shed false folklore and focus on the essence of Spanish identity, particularly through the symbol of Castile.
1.2. The Essay in Novecentismo
Novecentismo authors demonstrated scholarly and social commitment through their essays. José Ortega y Gasset, a prominent European philosopher, explored themes of circumstance, multiple perspectives, and the state of Spain in works like Invertebrate Spain, The Dehumanization of Art, and The Revolt of the Masses. Other notable essayists include Eugenio D’Ors and Gregorio Marañón.
1.3. The Essay Around 1927
The Generation of ’27 expanded the essay’s themes to include literary criticism, historiography, and reflections on the creative process. Journals like Revista de Occidente, La Gaceta Literaria, and Cruz y Raya published original essays. Key figures include Pedro Salinas (Jorge Manrique, or Tradition and Originality), Jorge Guillén (Language and Poetry), Dámaso Alonso (Góngora and Polyphemus), and Luis Cernuda (Studies on Contemporary Spanish Poetry).
2. The Post-Civil War Essay
2.1. The Essay from 1939
The Spanish Civil War significantly impacted the essay. Many thinkers died or went into exile, while those who remained faced censorship. The war’s consequences marked their work. Notable figures include Rafael Lapesa, Pedro Laín Entralgo, María Zambrano (The Agony of Europe), Francisco Ayala (The Invention of Don Quixote), and Julián Marías (Ortega and the Idea of Vital Reason).
2.2. The Essay from 1950
By the mid-1950s, Spanish intellectuals began engaging with European thought and opening to new ideologies. Historical essays by authors like Claudio Sánchez Albornoz and José Luis Aranguren gained prominence. Economic development and government policies led to greater openness, fostering a cultural resurgence in the 1960s and 70s. New journals like Cuadernos para el Diálogo provided platforms for increasingly ideological and engaged essays. As the Franco regime weakened, more political and protest-oriented essays emerged, advocating for social change and drawing on socialist and psychoanalytic thought, with authors like Enrique Tierno Galván.
3. The Spanish Essay from the 1970s
Contemporary essayists from this era often adopted a moderately liberal stance and aimed for accessibility. They frequently published in media outlets like newspaper literary supplements and opinion columns.
20th-Century Spanish Journalism
Technological advancements revolutionized media in the 20th century, enabling rapid news dissemination to a mass audience. Spanish journalism evolved through several stages:
- Ideological Journalism (early 20th century until World War I): Focused on doctrinal commentary.
- Informative Journalism (from the 1930s): Emphasized objective reporting, driven by automation, advertising, and demands for professional competence.
- Interpretive Journalism (mid-20th century): Provided context and analysis, focusing on background, current situations, and potential consequences.
- Popular Journalism (from the 1950s): Characterized by sensationalism, gossip, and abundant photography.
- Research and Documentation Journalism (late 20th century): Focused on in-depth reporting and data collection.
- Opinion Journalism (late 20th century with the advent of democracy): Emphasized persuasive arguments and personal viewpoints.
- Literary Journalism: Featured literary texts and contributions from established writers, blending artistry with insightful commentary. This tradition has a long history in Spanish culture. Examples include:
- Writers leading periodical press organs (e.g., Ortega y Gasset and El Sol).
- Initial publication of literary works in periodicals (e.g., Eduardo Mendoza’s No News from Gurb in El País).
- Literary supplements in newspapers featuring book reviews and contributions from writers and critics (e.g., El País).
- Regular contributions from writers of various generations, including Unamuno, Azorín, Baroja, Valle-Inclán, Antonio Machado, Ortega, and Alberti.