Generation of ’98: Key Authors and Literary Works
Generation of ’98
Definition and Origin
The Generation of ’98 was a Spanish literary movement named after the “Disaster of ’98.” It proposed an aesthetic renovation of literature and socio-cultural regeneration of the country. The movement meets the criteria to be considered a generation, and the origin of the generation can be traced to three manifestos (Azorín, Baroja, Machado).
Features
- A taste for both the castizo (traditional Spanish) and Europeanism: A desire to Europeanize Spain while retaining its core identity.
- Subjectivism: An introspective vision of reality.
- Idealization of the landscape: The landscape is seen as a symbol of the Spanish soul.
- Concern for Spain’s problems: This leads them to prioritize content over form.
- Philosophical reflections: Works are full of reflections on the meaning of life.
- Language: An attempt to create a natural language enriched with regionalisms.
Authors
Azorín
Identified by his short, simple sentences. Notable works include:
- La Voluntad
- Travel Books
- La Ruta de Don Quijote
Antonio Machado (Poetry of the Generation of ’98)
Campos de Castilla: His major work of poetry. It is a compilation of many themes and is heterogeneous in both subject matter and metrics.
- Part 1 (Soria): The first part focuses on criticizing the people of Spain and speaks of its decadent, glorious past. The landscape serves as a vehicle to discover the soul of Spain.
- Part 2 (Baeza): Reminisces about Soria and his deceased wife. It includes a critique of the Spanish estates.
- Part 3, Proverbs and Songs: Brief, popular philosophical meditations on God, love, etc.
- Part 4, Elegies: 14 poems paying homage to 14 thinkers.
Nuevas Canciones: Ideas and thoughts replace the landscape.
Miguel de Unamuno
Wrote a bit of everything, including essays like En Torno al Casticismo, poetry like El Cristo de Velázquez, and plays.
He is notable as a novelist. His narrative technique, called “Nivola,” involves writing about whatever comes to mind and suppressing descriptions. The protagonist is engaged in an existential struggle, and there is minimal dialogue.
- Niebla: Discusses the problem of existence and God. The main character commits suicide.
- Abel Sánchez: Explores the theme of envy, where hatred between two people endures in their offspring.
- La Tía Tula: Centers on loneliness and frustrated motherhood, depicting a woman who dedicates her life to caring for her nephews after the death of their parents.
- San Manuel Bueno, Mártir: Deals with the existence of God and happiness in a village. A pastor appears to have faith but does not, believing it is good for the people.
Pío Baroja
Also had his own technique for writing novels. Some of his novels include:
- Camino de Perfección: The protagonist dedicates himself to spirituality after a negative love experience.
- La Busca: Part of a trilogy, it depicts different environments in 20th-century Madrid.
- Zalacaín el Aventurero: Also part of a trilogy, it discusses the Carlist Wars.
- El Árbol de la Ciencia: Also belongs to a trilogy. It features a medical misfit who ends up committing suicide. It is his most famous work.
Valle-Inclán
Notable works include Tirano Banderas, which deals with South American dictators.
Theater:
1. Mythical Cycle:
- Comedias Bárbaras: A trilogy telling the story of a family of degenerates in Galicia.
- Divinas Palabras: Depicts the dispute between two women who want to make money by exhibiting a dwarf.
2. Grotesque Cycle:
The grotesque is used to deform people and values to denounce contemporary Spanish society. It employs a rich and varied language. The stage directions are literary and feature many characters and scenes.
- Luces de Bohemia: Valle-Inclán’s masterpiece. It is about the last night of the poet Max Estrella, who represents idealism. He is blind and accompanied by a guide.
- Martes de Carnaval: Another trilogy that parodies various aspects of Spanish society and history.