Early 20th Century Spanish Literature: Generation of ’98 and Modernism
Early 20th Century Spanish Literature
Generation of ’98
Europeanism and a Taste for Pure-Blooded Spanish Heritage
Sobriety: The language is simple and precise.
Subjectivism: An introspective vision of reality.
Idealization of the Landscape: The landscape symbolizes the Castilian Spanish soul. Its description is poetic and expresses the viewer’s emotions.
Concern for Spain’s Problems: Reflecting on the meaning of life, religion, the existence of God, time, etc.
Notable Authors
Rubén Darío (1867-1916)
Born in Metapa, Nicaragua. Appointed consul in Paris. Died in León, Nicaragua.
Leader of Modernism. His work *Azul* is considered the first claim of literary modernism.
Miguel de Unamuno (1864-1936)
Born in Bilbao. Held the Chair of Greek at the University of Salamanca. Exiled, later returned and restored to his doctorate.
His work is marked by two crises: loss of faith and reflections on the meaning of life.
Themes: Bleak vision of Spain and the search for meaning in human life.
- Relinquishing any preparation.
- Omitting descriptions and situations.
- Placing the protagonist in an existential struggle.
- Promoting dialogue.
Ramón María del Valle-Inclán (1868-1936)
Born in Villanueva de Arosa, Pontevedra. Adventurous life, returned ill from Rome. Died in Santiago de Compostela.
Eccentric personality reflected in his writing. Broke with preceding movements and revolutionized the literary world.
Sonatas: Four works corresponding to the seasons. Adventures and heartbreaks of the Marquis de Bradomín.
Theater:
- Modernist Cycle: The Marquis de Bradomín.
- Mythical Barbarian Comedy Cycle: *Divine Words*.
- Farce Cycle.
- Grotesque Cycle (starting in 1820): *The Scarecrow* introduces a new way of seeing the world, distorting reality.
- Final Cycle: *Tyrant Flags*.
Pío Baroja (1872-1956)
Born in San Sebastián. Studied medicine. Wrote articles for newspapers. Joined the Royal Spanish Academy. Arrested during the Civil War and exiled to France. Died in Madrid.
Novels incorporate philosophical reflections, humor, adventures, and reviews.
Spontaneous and observational style. Reality provides settings, characters, and impressions.
Novels revolve around the existential evolution of a single protagonist. Simple narrative structure. Frequent dialogues and descriptions. Short, clear, and precise style.
- The Struggle for Life trilogy: Depicts early 20th-century Madrid. Includes *The Search*, *Aurora Weed*, and *Red Dawn*.
- Basque Country trilogy: *The House of Aizgorri*, *Zalacaín the Adventurer*, and *The Mayorazgo of Labraz*.
- The Race: *The Lady Errant*, *The City of Fog*, and *The Tree of Knowledge*. Features Andrés Hurtado, a doctor unable to adapt to society.
Characters are unruly, wandering, restless, ambitious, and lacking in will. Reflect Baroja’s anguish, misogyny, anarchism, and anti-clericalism.
Azorín (1873-1967)
José Martínez Ruiz. Born in Monóvar, Alicante. Studied law. Wrote newspaper articles. Fled to Paris during the war and later joined the Franco regime.
Literary output includes essays and novels. Focused on the issue of Spain, examining specific aspects of reality and analyzing its problems.
Achieves realism through fragments conveying the character’s feelings. Thorough descriptions, succinct phrases, and a sober style.
Four stages in his novels. Representative work: *Writer*.
Modernism
Antonio Machado (1875-1939)
Born in Seville. Moved to Madrid at age 8. Studied at the Free Institution of Education. Vice consul of Guatemala in Paris, where he met Rubén Darío. Professor of French in Soria. Married Leonor, who died three years later. Moved to Baeza, then returned to Castile. Fell in love with Pilar Valderrama (Guiomar). Joined the Republican Alliance and exiled to France during the Civil War. Died in France.
First modernist work: *Solitudes*. Influenced by Rubén Darío.
*Solitudes* explores time, loneliness, death, and God.
*Campos de Castilla*: Collection of poems with four thematic cores:
- Soria: Spain as a land of contrasts. Landscape as a vehicle to discover the Spanish soul.
- Baeza: Recollections of Leonor and the Sorian landscape. Social criticism directed at ignorant Spain.
- Proverbs and Songs: Meditations on the mysteries of man and the world.
- Praise: Homage to writers and thinkers.
Popular Theater: Wrote seven plays with his brother Manuel, including *Juan de Mañara* and *La Lola se va a los puertos*.