Literary Transformation: The Spanish Novel from the 19th Century to the Generation of ’98
The Novel in the 19th and 20th Centuries: Transformation
The nineteenth-century novel responded to a stable conception of the world and aimed to offer an orderly and coherent picture of reality. By contrast, in the twentieth century, man’s insecurity in the world undergoes deep transformations, leading to narratives tinged with anguish and subjectivism.
In the last years of the nineteenth century and the first third of the twentieth, the realistic or naturalistic formulations of the novel continued to find public favor. However, this period also saw a strong reaction against the tendencies of the second half of the nineteenth century. The theme of the novel centers on existential, social, and religious issues, always approached from a personal position. The study of character psychology and the creation of new environments reflected a growing concern about the effects of misguided passions on human relationships. Crucially, great importance was given to *how* the story was told.
Modernist Narrative: Renovation and Sensory Language
Modernist narrative focused on renovation, emphasizing sensory, stylish, and rich language. It sought an escape from everyday reality, recreating an atmosphere of nostalgia and melancholy.
Ramón María del Valle-Inclán: Evolution of Style
Valle-Inclán’s evolution is reflected in his work, such as the Sonatas and the trilogy on the Carlist War, which references the four seasons. His later work focuses on the monstrosity of reality, creating a stylized, deformed expression for critical and merciless reality. He abandoned the beautification of his beginnings, moving in the opposite direction by emphasizing aspects that are ugly, misshapen, and grotesque, yet demonstrating amazing plasticity and language proficiency.
Key characteristics of his later style include:
- Deformation and paradox
- Contrasts and the degradation of characters
- The mix of linguistic registers
- Poignancy
His work, exemplified by Tirano Banderas, is characterized by grotesque tyrant figures.
The Narrative of the Generation of ’98
The writers of the Generation of ’98, influenced by Regenerationist thought, responded profoundly to these societal changes. The intrusion of subjectivism and a strong artistic will constitute the essential features of their novelistic output.
The year 1902 is considered the starting point of this renewal, marked by the publication of:
- The Will (Azorín)
- Love and Pedagogy (Unamuno)
- Path of Perfection (Baroja)
- Autumn Sonata (Valle-Inclán)
Essential Features of the Novel of ’98
The three defining features shared by these writers are:
- Subjectivism
- Artistic intention
- Renewal of narrative technique
Key Themes of the Generation of ’98
Discovering the Soul of Spain
The primary theme was the issue of Spain, stemming from Regenerationist approaches. This included the patriotic and reformist approach of Unamuno, the pessimistic view of Baroja, and the impressionistic and lyrical vision of reality offered by Azorín. All sought to discover the soul of Spain through:
- The landscape of Castile, where they discovered the austere spirit of history.
- Everyday life.
- Medieval authors and literature.
Existential and Psychological Concerns
The second major thematic concern focused on life itself, psychological conflict, and religious problems:
- Unamuno: Anguish and obsession with the desire for immortality.
- Azorín: Concern for the ephemeral nature of life.
- Baroja: Religious disbelief.
Stylistic Characteristics of the Novel of ’98
The style of the Generation of ’98 involved a rejection of the self-expression and grandiloquent nineteenth-century rhetoric. Writers returned to simplicity and clarity without losing expressive power. Key stylistic elements include:
- Lexical Precision: The careful choice of the right word for the moment.
- Subjectivity: Lexicon full of subjective evaluations that reveal inner feelings. Terms with negative connotations (pessimistic or decadent) abound.
- Narrative Technique: The story itself loses importance, and *how* it is told gains prominence.
The novel often rests on an individual character and conveys the uncertainty of man in the world. Important works, such as Baroja’s The Tree of Knowledge, abandon the orderly and linear structure, incorporating frequent chronological shifts.