Unamuno and Azorín: Exploring the Spanish Generation of ’98
Unamuno and Azorín: Key Figures of the Generation of ’98
Miguel de Unamuno: The Agonizing Existentialist
Personality and Themes
Unamuno, a prominent intellectual of the Generation of ’98, was known for his contradictory nature and internal struggles. His life was a constant battle with himself and others, challenging the conventions of his time. He explored diverse genres, including poetry, plays, novels, and essays, with two recurring themes: Spain and the meaning of human life.
Initially, Unamuno advocated for the Europeanization of Spain. However, he later embraced the religious values of the Spanish people and defended a unique Spanish identity within Europe. His existential concerns, evident in works like The Tragic Sense of Life and The Agony of Christianity, revolved around the conflict between the religiously-secured idea of immortality and its denial by reason. This conflict led him to propose a continuous struggle for faith, a theme reflected throughout his works, particularly in his novel San Manuel Bueno, Martyr.
Narrative Masterpiece: Fog
Among Unamuno’s novels, Fog (1914) stands out as his narrative masterpiece. It features a famous passage where the protagonist, Augusto, rebels against his creator, questioning Unamuno’s own reality. From this point onward, Unamuno’s characters become “agonists” – individuals who grapple with their existence, confronting death and the dissolution of personality.
Unamuno’s Unique Style
Unamuno’s writing style embodies the notion that “the style is the man.” Vehement and passionate, he departs from traditional rhetoric, forging his own personal style. Dense, intense, emotional, and contradictory, his writing reflects his struggle to express his complex thoughts through language. He utilizes antithesis and paradox to showcase the internal conflicts that define his work.
José Martínez Ruiz (Azorín): The Contemplative Observer
Evolution of Thought and Themes
Azorín, another founding member of the Generation of ’98, alongside Maeztu and Baroja, underwent a significant evolution in his political and religious views, transitioning from youthful anarchism to a conservative stance in his maturity. His primary focus was on the passage of time and the ephemeral nature of human life. Unlike Unamuno’s dramatic pathos or Machado’s anguish, Azorín’s writing expresses a gentle melancholy, a longing to capture the essence of what endures beneath the fleeting surface of existence. He sought to preserve the memory of things past, revealing himself as a contemplative spirit driven by nostalgia.
Literary Contributions
In addition to numerous literary criticism articles, Azorín authored books that evoke the spirit of Spain’s people and landscapes, such as Castilla. As a novelist, he furthered the group’s innovative spirit. His novels prioritize atmosphere and character development over plot, serving as vehicles for his existential reflections on Spain. The Will (1902) exemplifies this approach.
Azorín’s Distinctive Style
Azorín’s style reflects the artistic and subjective tendencies of early 20th-century literature. He championed precision and clarity, employing concise sentences and carefully chosen words. His impressionistic descriptions, rich in detail and vocabulary (including revived archaic terms characteristic of the Generation of ’98), showcase his meticulous attention to detail.
Unamuno: Novelist of Existential Pessimism
Unamuno’s novels delve into the depths of human existence and the world’s complexities. His ideas align with existential pessimism, as exemplified in The Tree of Knowledge. Skeptical of religion and politics, he portrays a world devoid of inherent meaning, where life is ultimately absurd. This perspective reflects the broader crisis of the early 20th century.
Unamuno’s critiques are sharp and uncompromising, and his lack of political commitment led him to be labeled a “radical liberal” with extreme individualism. His characters often embody dissent: the “man of action” who rebels against society (usually unsuccessfully) and the “spineless” individual paralyzed by a lack of faith in the world (e.g., Andrés Hurtado in The Tree of Knowledge).
Unamuno’s Narrative Approach
Unamuno’s conception of the novel builds upon previous realism, but with a subjective and passionate lens. Unlike Galdós’ objective and calm realism, Unamuno’s approach is subjective, passionate, and impressionistic. He prioritizes interpreting reality through his own perspective, openly expressing his opinions and critiques. Instead of meticulously detailing every aspect, he employs a few defining characteristics to create a vivid impression of the subject. Many of his novels are grouped into trilogies, such as the Basque Country Trilogy, The Struggle for Life Trilogy, and the Race Trilogy, which includes The Tree of Knowledge (1911). His Memories of a Man of Action series is also well-known.