Generation of ’98: Spain’s Literary Rebirth
The Generation of ’98: A Literary Reflection of Spain
Key Themes: Spain and Existentialism
The Generation of ’98, a group of Spanish writers, essayists, and poets, grappled with two primary concerns: the state of Spain and the meaning of human life, often exploring existential questions. Within these broad themes, several characteristic features emerge in their work:
- The Castilian Landscape: The landscape, generally the impoverished landscape of Castile, is depicted not realistically but subjectively. Authors projected their inner turmoil and perspectives onto it.
- Historical Reflection: The writers initially considered Spain’s contemporary history as the source of its problems. Later, they delved into the past, seeking to uncover the intrinsic values of Castile and Spain.
- Existential Concerns: Existential problems were a significant influence. The writers, dissatisfied with the world around them, constantly questioned the meaning of human existence, the passage of time, and death, often expressing anguish.
The Novel in the Generation of ’98
Novels shifted from portraying objective reality to expressing ideas and environments from a subjective viewpoint, focusing on the existential struggles of the characters. Some presented a series of events, while others explored philosophical concepts. The protagonists were often marginalized individuals or antiheroes.
The style of this novel is characterized by sobriety and a rejection of rhetoric (antirhetoric). Simplicity and agility in conveying ideas were prioritized.
Pío Baroja
Pío Baroja stands out for his novels’ free-flowing construction, juxtaposing episodes and stories. His work reflects life’s spontaneity, with varied action and characters who are often societal outcasts. Baroja’s style emphasizes an antirhetorical approach, resulting in spontaneous and lively prose. His narratives flow rapidly, with concise descriptions and authentic dialogue. His most notable works are grouped into trilogies:
- The Struggle for Life (La Busca, Mala Hierba, and Aurora Roja)
- Basque Land (La Casa de Aizgorri, El Mayorazgo de Labraz, and Zalacaín el Aventurero)
- La Raza (La Dama Errante, La Ciudad de la Niebla, and El Árbol de la Ciencia)
Miguel de Unamuno
Miguel de Unamuno prioritized expressiveness and accuracy over elegance, employing paradox and antithesis to grapple with words and ideas. His essays extensively explore the problem of Spain and the meaning of human life. Vida de Don Quijote y Sancho (1905) is a particularly important work on Spanish history and culture.
Unamuno’s meditations on the meaning of human life significantly impacted Spanish philosophy. His thinking aligns with modern existentialism, focusing on the “man of flesh and blood” and his struggles, including the problem of God and immortality. His narrative work began with novels about the Carlist War and sought to renew the genre. His poetry is extensive and deeply personal, and his theater, though less successful, also reflects his philosophical concerns.
The Essay and Other Genres
The essay flourished during this period, providing a suitable medium for expressing the authors’ concerns and preoccupations, mirroring the themes found throughout the Generation of ’98’s literature. Lyric poetry revolved around Spain and the meaning of life, employing a poetic language marked by a search for simplicity (antirhetoric).
Theater
In theater, one can appreciate a comedy of manners, a theater in several respects: comic, modernist air, and innovative trend. The literary influences of this generation came from both abroad (Ibsen, Schopenhauer, Pascal, Montaigne…) and from within Spain itself (Don Quixote).