Spanish Authors: Ortega, Unamuno, Baroja, and Others
Spanish Authors: A Literary Overview
Ortega y Gasset
Ortega y Gasset’s works are classified into three groups: philosophical essays, political and sociological analyses, and artistic and literary theory. His significant philosophical essays include The Theme of Our Time and What is Philosophy? His position, “ratiovitalismo,” is characterized by:
- Opposition to philosophical irrationalism
- Focus on human life as the object of philosophy (“I am myself and my circumstances”)
His political and sociological works, Invertebrate Spain and The Revolt of the Masses, examine the causes of Spain’s decline and propose solutions.
Gabriel Miró and Ramón Pérez de Ayala
Gabriel Miró (1879-1930) wrote lyrical novels with the following characteristics:
- Highly crafted, poetic prose
- Emphasis on formal development over action
- Description as the foundation of the novel
- Focus on the evocative power of objects
Ramón Pérez de Ayala (1880-1962) produced novels categorized into three stages by Andrés Amorós:
- “Generational Novels” (1907-1913): Dark at the Summits, AMDG, The Leg of the Fox, and Troteras y Danzaderas. These novels feature the recurring character Alberto Díaz de Guzmán, reflecting the spiritual crisis in early 20th-century Spain. They utilize realistic and first-person autobiographical narratives.
- “Poetic Novels of Spanish Life” (1913-1921): Prometheus, or the Light of Sunday, and The Fall of Lemons.
Ramón Gómez de la Serna
Ramón Gómez de la Serna (1888-1963) was a key figure in the Generation of ’14. His work is characterized by:
- A rejection of traditional interpretations of reality, aligning with avant-garde movements.
- Unusual viewpoints to surprise the reader.
- Absence of sentimentality, employing humor and wit.
- Creation of the “greguería,” a literary genre defined as “Humor + Metaphor.”
His most famous work is The Bullfighter Caracho (1927).
Miguel de Unamuno
Miguel de Unamuno (1864-1936) explored profound personal experiences in his work. His writing challenges readers to confront conflict. Life, for Unamuno, is a struggle and doubt. He delves into Spain’s collective soul, exploring “intrahistory.”
Narrative Works: Unamuno’s characters embody thought and revitalization. His style is vivid and passionate.
- Peace in War: Explores the Carlist War, contrasting surface events with the deeper “intrahistory.”
- Love and Pedagogy: Examines a father’s attempt to mold his son into a genius.
- Mist: Explores the themes of reality-unreality, isolation, and the power of passion.
- San Manuel Bueno, Martyr: A meditation on the essence and meaning of life.
Pío Baroja
Pío Baroja (1872-1956), influenced by Schopenhauer and Nietzsche, conveyed existential pessimism, skepticism, and a bitter tone. His style is spontaneous, using short descriptions and lively dialogues. His works, often grouped into trilogies, include The Race, The Basque Country, The Struggle for Life, The Tree of Knowledge. The Tree of Knowledge is largely autobiographical.
Camilo José Cela
Camilo José Cela (1916-2002) is known for:
- The Family of Pascual Duarte (1942): A depiction of Spanish apathy.
- The Hive: A work of social realism portraying post-war Spain.
- San Camilo, 1936: An experimental work recreating the atmosphere of Madrid in July 1936.
- Office of Darkness: A dissolution of traditional novelistic structures.
- Mazurka for Two Dead (1983): A return to narrative, exploring themes of barbarism.
Cela’s style is characterized by simple syntax, vivid metaphors, lexical richness, rhythmic effects, and dark humor.