Realism, Naturalism, Modernism & Generation of ’98
European Realism and Naturalism
In the mid-nineteenth century, a new literary movement began to dominate: Realism. Realism focuses on the accurate observation of contemporary reality. As a result, the predominant genre is the novel. The realistic novel aspires to become a credible and accurate document of the society of the time. Realism originated in France.
Around 1870, a related movement emerged that took realistic principles to an extreme: Naturalism. Naturalism seeks to uncover the causes of human behavior. Its works often feature characters with physical or mental defects, and the novel aims to explain the reasons for such defects. It reflects the most challenging aspects of human life and social relationships.
Characteristics of the Realistic Novel
- Objective observation
- Contemporary atmosphere and setting
- Often presents a thesis or argument
- Psychological analysis of characters
- The omniscient narrator
- A generally sober style
- Use of newspapers for serialization and diffusion
The Generation of ’98 in Spanish Literature
Definition
The term Generation of ’98 refers to a group of Spanish writers who emerged in reaction to two key circumstances:
- The crisis in Spain, culminating in 1898 with the loss of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.
- The perceived exhaustion of the narrative forms of the preceding Realist movement.
Comparison with Modernism
In contrast to Modernism, the Generation of ’98 showed a preference for prose and a greater concern for social and political issues.
Key Authors
Core members are considered to be Miguel de Unamuno, Azorín (José Martínez Ruiz), and Pío Baroja. The group also often includes Antonio Machado (particularly his Campos de Castilla) and certain periods of Ramón del Valle-Inclán‘s work.
Modernism in Literature
Modernism is a literary movement born in Latin America in the last quarter of the nineteenth century and introduced to Spain primarily by Rubén Darío.
Themes and Style
The influence of Romanticism is evident in the two main thematic lines of Modernism:
- Escapism: This is often considered the most representative line. The Modernist poet seeks refuge in exotic places and idealized past eras.
- Intimism: The poet expresses unease with reality. Love and the world are often viewed with melancholy and sadness.
Stylistic Features for Achieving Beauty:
- Musicality of language.
- A new and rich lexicon.
- Abundant use of rhetorical figures: alliteration, synesthesia, metaphors, etc.
- Use of traditional verse forms, but with a preference for Alexandrine, hendecasyllable, and dodecasyllable lines. Stanza forms often show variety through modifications of traditional structures or the introduction of innovative ones.
Key Spanish Modernist Poets
Antonio Machado
Machado’s early work is close to Modernism. His later poetry becomes more reflective, often focusing on the perceived ills of Spain. Metrics: Machado used popular forms like the romance and silva-romance, emphasizing rhyme. Style: His style is characterized by its lack of rhetorical complexity; it is sober and clear.
Juan Ramón Jiménez
His work is typically divided into 3 stages:
- Sensory Stage (until 1915): Includes books with clear Modernist inspiration.
- Intellectual Stage: Moves towards “pure poetry.” Prose and verse mix; musicality and colorful decoration diminish.
- Sufficient/True Stage (in exile): Attempts a more abstract, sometimes difficult, yet beautiful poetry.