Spanish Literature: Modernism to Avant-Garde
Spanish Literature: From Modernism to the Avant-Garde
Modernism and the Generation of ’98
Modernism arose as a response to the need for renewal, distancing itself from Realist literature. Two key movements emerged: Modernism and the Generation of ’98. These movements, while distinct, shared common ground in expressing deep concerns about Spain’s future and exploring themes of love, time, and death.
Spanish Society in 1898: The loss of Cuba, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico in 1898, coupled with military defeat and the disaster of ’98, triggered a crisis of national identity and a sense of decline. Young intellectuals from the middle class denounced social injustice and Spain’s backwardness. The Regenerationist movement emerged, demanding political and economic reforms. Nationalist sentiments also surfaced in politics and culture, particularly in Catalonia, Galicia, and the Basque Country.
Modernism
Modernism originated in Latin America, with Rubén Darío as a leading figure. Modernist writers crafted a new poetic language with distinct aesthetic features:
- Art for Art’s Sake: Poetry was detached from reality and avoided political, social, or moral commitments.
- Exoticism: Inspiration was drawn from distant and exotic worlds.
- Sensuality and Longing for Love: Poetry was inspired by beauty and the pursuit of love.
Rubén Darío’s Azul (poetry and prose) and Songs of Life and Hope represent a transition between Modernism and the Generation of ’98.
Generation of ’98
The Generation of ’98, comprised of Miguel de Unamuno, Pío Baroja, Antonio Machado, Azorín, and Ramón María del Valle-Inclán, was characterized by:
- Rebellion against established bourgeois values.
- Castilianism (focus on Spanish culture and identity).
- Vitalism (emphasis on life and experience).
- Subjectivity.
- Desire for beauty.
Antonio Machado
Antonio Machado’s poetry delves into themes of intimacy, loneliness, time, death, and longing for God. His early works, such as Soledades, express agonizing loneliness. Campos de Castilla critiques contemporary society, with Castilla symbolizing the union of his personal feelings with the collective.
The Novel and Essay
Pío Baroja (1872-1956): His novels and short stories reflect the crisis of values of the time, offering a pessimistic view of humanity and the world. Notable works include The Tree of Science and The Adventurer Zalacaín.
Azorín: His books La Voluntad, The Route of Don Quixote, and Castilla are characterized by detailed descriptions and concise prose.
Miguel de Unamuno: He grappled with the anguish of death and questioned the existence of God. Key works include San Manuel Bueno, Martyr and his journalistic articles.
Novecentismo and Progressivism
By 1914, a new generation of intellectuals emerged, embracing modernity and envisioning Spain as a European model. They valued science, technology, sports, and film.
Spanish Society: Industrialization increased, and the labor movement gained momentum. Conflict between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat intensified. The dictatorship of Primo de Rivera, while aiming for stability, ultimately radicalized both conservative and labor forces, contributing to the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War.
Novecento
The young writers of the Novecento movement sought rational solutions to Spain’s problems. Key characteristics included:
- Europeanism.
- Anti-romanticism.
- Artistic purity (a departure from the superficiality of Modernism).
- Intellectual rigor (many writers were academics and professionals).
Poetry, Essay, and Novel
Juan Ramón Jiménez: He championed”pure poetry” characterized by free verse, minimal use of adjectives, and the elimination of sensory images. His work is divided into three periods: the sensitive, the intellectual, and the true (where God’s image appears).
José Ortega y Gasset: A prominent intellectual who influenced Western thought, his prose is concise and avoids excessive literary embellishments.
Gabriel Miró: An innovative novelist known for works like Our Father and The Bishop Leprous.
Ramón Pérez de Ayala: A versatile writer who excelled in journalism, poetry, essays, and novels. His best-known works include Troteras and Danzaderas.
The Avant-Garde
The Avant-garde movement, influenced by European trends, was innovative and rebelled against sentimentality.
Generation of ’27
Named after a tribute to Luis de Góngora, considered their literary model, the Generation of ’27 was characterized by heterogeneity, experimentalism, dehumanization, and artistic purity. Its evolution can be divided into four stages:
- Pure Poetry (1918-1925)
- Neopopularismo (1925-1930)
- Surrealism (1930-1939)
- Dissolution: The Spanish Civil War and the exile of many poets marked the end of the Generation of ’27.
Prominent authors of the Generation of ’27 include:
- Jorge Guillén (Cántico)
- Gerardo Diego (Romancero de la novia)
- Vicente Aleixandre (Nobel Prize winner in 1977, La destrucción o el amor)
- Federico García Lorca (Romancero Gitano)
- Rafael Alberti (Marinero en tierra)
- Luis Cernuda (La realidad y el deseo)
Miguel Hernández: Often associated with the Generation of ’36, his work reflects the social and political turmoil of the time.