20th Century Spanish Literature: Generation of ’98 & Avant-Garde
1. Historical Context of Spanish Literature
The late twentieth century witnessed the end of the so-called “Disaster of ’98” with the loss of Spain’s last colonies. This event had a profound impact on Spanish society and its literature.
2. Mentality of the Era
Writers of this period reflected the concerns of the era in their works. Literature served as a means of escape, or as a form of committed art that addressed individual, social, and political problems.
3. Spanish Literature (1898-1936)
Spanish literature between 1898 and 1936 experienced a period of great splendor, known as the Silver Age. This era saw the emergence of three generations of writers: the Generation of ’98 (Noventayochistas), the Novecentismo, and the Avant-Garde.
A) Generation of ’98
Characteristics:
- Rebelliousness and nonconformity.
- Critical of the Restoration.
- Interested in Spanish reality, especially Castile.
- Great interest in the classics of the Golden Age.
- Reflective and anti-rhetorical style.
Definition:
The Generation of ’98 is defined by the following criteria:
- Birth within a few years of each other.
- Similar intellectual formation.
- Personal relationships: shared gatherings, collaborations in magazines, and close friendships (e.g., Baroja, Azorín, and Maeztu).
- Participation in collective events.
- Generational event: Disaster of ’98.
Evolution:
The Generation of ’98 went through three stages:
- Generation Stage
- Contemplative Stage
- Conservatism Stage
Authors:
José Martínez Ruiz ‘Azorín’
- Life: Abandoned law studies to dedicate his life to journalism. His ideology evolved from anarchism to conservatism. His work focuses on the obsession with time and intimate sadness without excessive pathos. Azorín evokes a nostalgic atmosphere.
- Work: Confessions of a Small Philosopher
- Style: Melancholic, characterized by precision and clarity. His descriptions are detailed and employ a rich vocabulary.
Miguel de Unamuno
- Life and Personality: Studied philosophy and literature in Madrid. His life was a perpetual struggle between believing and not believing, a struggle against the triviality of his time. He coined the term “intrahistoria” to refer to the everyday lives of ordinary people, which are not recorded in history books but are essential to its development.
- Work: Two major themes: the problem of Spain and the meaning of human life.
- Style: Intense and emotional, without excessive rhetoric. His internal contradictions are reflected through paradoxes and antitheses.
Ramiro de Maeztu
- Life and Personality: Revolutionary in his youth, he was part of the “Generation of ’98” group. He resided in London as a journalist and founded the Spanish magazine Acción Española.
- Work: Wrote articles compiled in the book Towards Another Spain.
Pío Baroja
- Life and Personality: Studied medicine and obtained a doctorate with a thesis on “pain.” He was exiled to France. A lonely and bitter man, he felt pessimism towards humanity and the world. Many of his characters project an ideal of the man of action he would have liked to be.
- Work: A prolific writer, he wrote “The Tree of Science.”
Ramón María del Valle-Inclán
- Life: Studied law and moved to Madrid, where he worked as a journalist. He became famous for his eccentricities.
- Work: Sonatas (Spring, Autumn, Winter, Summer) starring the Marquis of Bradomín. These are written as memoirs. His themes include carnal love, death, and religion. Two recurring female figures: the femme fatale and the fragile wife. His historical approach includes the Carlist Wars and the Iberian Peninsula.
José Ortega y Gasset
- Life: After graduating in philosophy, he continued his studies in Germany. He obtained a position at the University of Madrid. Throughout his life, he had an intense career as a writer and lecturer. He supported the Republic but later felt disappointed. He was exiled during the Civil War.
- Work: He had a double role as a philosopher and essayist. He is the greatest representative of 20th-century Spanish philosophy. Among his essays, we can highlight: “The Spectator” and “Meditations on Quixote.” He was also interested in the subject of Spain.
Gabriel Miró
- Life and Personality: His gray life contrasted with the intense official life that his work reflects.
- Work: He wrote 22 books, including novels and short stories. The fundamental action gives way to description. Among his novels, we can highlight: “Our Father San Daniel” and “The Leprous Bishop.”
- Style: His novels have been classified as lyrical novels, more attentive to the expression of feelings and sensations than to events.
Ramón Pérez de Ayala
- Life and Personality: Graduated in law and was elected a member of the Royal Academy. He died in Madrid in 1962.
- Work: His career can be divided into three stages:
- Autobiographical stage: critical of illiberal education systems.
- Transition stage: “poetic novels of Spanish life.”
- Addresses major themes: love, sex, honor. Approach to the essay.
- Style: Dense, mixed with irony and seriousness, as well as popular and learned words.
Avant-Garde Movement
The Avant-Garde movement is characterized by its opposition to all previous aesthetics and by the importance of innovation.
Authors:
Ramón Gómez de la Serna
He is the great disseminator of the Avant-Garde. His great contribution is poetry. His novels do not describe characters but accumulate themes. Representative work: Greguerías.
Benjamín Jarnés
Author of autobiographical stories. His narrative begins with The Useless Teacher.