Spanish Generation of ’98: Characteristics and Key Figures
Features of the Generation of ’98
It was in the late nineteenth century when Spain experienced a period of general crisis. The political system was not working, and the first violent social conflicts started. In the first years of the twentieth century, a group of intellectuals enacted a series of measures with the clear intention of solving the existing problems. They were called “Regenerationists,” with names like Joaquín Costa and Francisco Giner de los Ríos, promoter of the “Free Institution of Education.”
The situation worsened with the independence of Cuba and the Philippines in 1898 after several years of war. These were the last Spanish colonies, and their loss resulted in a disaster of human and economic losses. This spurred the rise of a group of writers concerned with the problem of the country, mainly about the issue of Spain. These writers would become the components of the poetic group of ’98, or the Generation of ’98. Among them were Miguel de Unamuno, José Martínez Ruiz “Azorín,” Pío Baroja, Antonio Machado, Ramón del Valle-Inclán, and Ramiro de Maeztu, among others.
Ideological Positions
Their ideological positions were basically two:
- Firstly, those characterized by a young, fighter, and revolutionary spirit.
- Secondly, those characterized by maturity and sometimes openly conservative idealism.
Common Features of the Generation of ’98
Based on the concept of a whole generation of writers coming to age with similar problems and concerns, the components of this generation are said to share a number of common features that characterize them as such:
Birth Years
They were writers born between 1864 and 1875, such as Miguel de Unamuno and Antonio Machado. Therefore, the age difference between them does not exceed 15 years.
Intellectual Formation
They had a similar intellectual formation. Although mainly coming from the bourgeoisie, they adopted an anti-bourgeois attitude in their first stage and declared themselves self-educated, critical of the Spanish educational system.
Leadership
They required the presence of a leader. Philosophers like Nietzsche and Schopenhauer have been proposed, although it is more widely viewed that Miguel de Unamuno was the leader. Pedro Salinas, a poet of the Poetic Group of ’27, said that the leader is mainly recognized by his absence.
Personal Relationships
Their members maintained close personal relationships, participating in events like a trip to Toledo to visit Larra’s grave, a tribute to Pío Baroja, or a protest against the awarding of the Nobel Prize to José Echegaray.
Generational Event
They lived through a generational event that united them, which was the disaster of ’98.
Common Themes and Style
There must be among them the existence of common features with themes and styles opposed to those of the previous generation. These can be summarized as:
Skepticism and Pessimism
They were concerned about religious and existential issues, mainly the issue of Spain and Castile.
Admiration for Literary Figures
They felt great admiration for Larra, Quevedo, and Cervantes. The work of Cervantes stimulated multiple trials.
Sober and Concise Style
They gave great importance to ideas rather than expression.
Anti-Rhetoricism
Anti-rhetoricism is characteristic of them.
Subjective Descriptions
In their writings, a large number of letters appear, with subjective descriptions being particularly significant.
Literary Innovations
Many innovations appear, the most important of which are “Esperpentos” by Ramón María del Valle-Inclán and “Nivola” by Miguel de Unamuno.