Spanish Literature: Narrative, Generation of ’98, and Avant-Garde
Narrative in Spanish Literature
In this literary genre, we find:
- A shift towards realism, with experimental narratives like those of Joyce and Prussian, exploring desire and critical realism.
- Narratives steeped in religiosity, seeking God as an answer or negation, as seen in the works of Papini, Giovanni, or the abandonment of God as portrayed by Graham Greene. This also includes existentialism.
- The development of social or narrative literature, with roots in the 16th-century picaresque novel and further developed by 19th-century English novelists.
These novelties are reflected in the works of the Generation of ’98 and the beginning of modernism with Ramon Gomez de la Serna.
Generation of ’98
The Generation of ’98, named after the fateful year of colonial loss, displayed a great concern for Spain and its future. Key authors include Unamuno, Baroja, and Azorin, along with Maeztu, Machado, and Valle-Inclan.
Miguel de Unamuno
Unamuno is characterized by his existential concerns, particularly in San Manuel Bueno, Martyr, which explores the dichotomy between reason and God. His novel Fog introduces the concept of the nivola (a short novel without specific locations or descriptions). In Abel Sanchez, he addresses the concept of intrahistoria (the history of every citizen).
Pio Baroja
Baroja is one of the most prolific novelists in Spanish literary history. His great contribution was the open novel, without a clear beginning or end. Other contributions include his fun and fast style, and his portrayal of maladjusted or distressed characters. His work is often structured as a trilogy:
- “The Basque” (e.g., The Adventures of Santi Andia)
- “Psychological Novels” (e.g., The Tree of Science)
Azorin
Azorin (pseudonym of José Martínez Ruiz) is known as the best descriptor of Spanish literature. His works are laden with descriptions so accurate that they resemble linguistic photography. His work evolved from historically inspired themes, such as in Castilla, to more essayistic themes, as in The Will.
Valle Inclan
Although best known for his contributions to theater, Valle Inclan also wrote influential accounts of the beginning of the century called “The Sonatas,” distributed across the four seasons. The most famous is “Autumn.” He also created a small experimental work with great influence in South America called “Tyrant Flags.”
Avant-Garde Elements
In the 1920s, avant-garde elements emerged in Spanish literature, giving a new turn of expression. Ramon Gomez de la Serna is notable for his famous “Greguerías,” satirical or critical sayings about the situation in Spain and its people. Ramon de la Serna also provided literary magazines and ran the “Promethean” magazine and held court in the “Pombo” cafe.