Early 20th-Century Spanish Literature: Novel, Essay, and Theater
Early 20th-Century Spanish Literature
Novel and Essay
The realist and naturalist novel enjoyed a wide audience in the early twentieth century, with authors such as Blasco Ibáñez and his work The Barrack. Modernist narratives offered innovation, exemplified by Valle-Inclán. The Generation of ’98, including Baroja, Unamuno, and Azorín, also contributed significantly.
The essay was widely cultivated by authors of the Generation of ’98, including Unamuno and Azorín.
Miguel de Unamuno
Unamuno cultivated poetry, drama, novels, and essays. His work, characterized by expressiveness and a harsh, vivid tone, often provokes. His writings maintain a sense of unity through recurring themes and a passionate style. His works are concise, direct, and full of paradoxes. Initially, his focus was on the regeneration of Spain. By 1897, he shifted to existential and religious themes.
Theater
Unamuno created philosophical dramas reminiscent of classical tragedy, including works like Soledad.
Poetry
Unamuno’s lyric poetry addresses two main themes: his reaction to the landscape and his existential concerns. Key works include Poesías, Rosario de sonetos líricos, and Romancero del destierro.
Novel
Unamuno’s novels reflect his key concerns, eliminating non-essential elements. The result is a dense, philosophical, schematic, and passionate narrative. He minimizes descriptions of landscape and circumstances, focusing on characters who express their existential conflicts through extended dialogues and inner monologues. Notable works include Paz en la guerra and San Manuel Bueno, mártir.
Essay
Unamuno’s essays, presented in a passionate tone, explore his thoughts and experiences. Two themes predominate: reflections on Spain and existential concerns.
- Spain: His travel books and reflective essays initially offer a regenerationist critique of Spanish reality, advocating for Europeanization and progress. Later, he adopts a spiritual stance, championing the Hispanization of Europe.
- Existentialism: This theme is prominent in works like Del sentimiento trágico de la vida and La agonía del cristianismo.
José Martínez Ruiz, Azorín
Azorín’s literature revolves around the theme of time. He evokes the fleeting nature of reality with a nostalgic sadness, using detailed landscape descriptions to reflect his mood. His style is concise, clear, and precise, with rich vocabulary, including archaisms. The detailed descriptions create a sense of slowness.
Theater
Azorín sought to renew theater, moving away from naturalism. He wrote subjective works open to the unconscious, aligning with avant-garde trends. Notable works include Old Spain and Lo invisible.
Novel
Azorín’s novels have minimal plot, focusing on descriptions of feelings and environments. The impressionistic style gives a fragmented feel to the narratives. Key works include La voluntad and Antonio Azorín.
Essay
Azorín’s essays showcase his characteristic obsessions with time, the connection between landscape and mood, melancholy, and detailed descriptions. Two themes predominate: landscape and literary criticism.
- Landscape: Essays on Spanish landscapes reflect his ideological evolution. For example, in Castilla and Alma castellana, he critiques social and political aspects of Spanish reality.
- Literary Criticism: His essays offer subjective views on Spanish literature. In works like Clásicos y modernos, he explores the concept of the Generation of ’98, characterized by its critical perspective and concern for Spain.
Pío Baroja
Baroja, a prolific novelist, also wrote short stories, memoirs, and essays. He excelled at portraying characters, describing environments, and crafting dialogues. His works are characterized by:
- Characters who are asocial or rebellious, often falling into two categories: men of action striving to escape mediocrity, and confused, apathetic individuals unable to act.
- A focus on suburban environments and the lives of the poor, highlighting their social, political, and economic struggles.
- A simple, direct style using vivid, anti-rhetorical language.
Novels
Baroja’s notable works include several trilogies:
- La lucha por la vida (La busca, Mala hierba, Aurora roja)
- Tierra vasca (La casa de Aizgorri, El mayorazgo de Labraz, Zalacaín el aventurero)
- Adventure novels like Las inquietudes de Shanti Andía and the Memorias de un hombre de acción series.
- La raza (La dama errante, La ciudad de la niebla, El árbol de la ciencia)