Spanish Literary Movements: Generations ’27 and ’98
The Generation of ’27: Features and Authors
Key Features of the Generation of ’27
- Tradition and Modernism: They sought new forms of poetry while maintaining admiration for tradition, including Góngora’s poetic language, the classics, and popular forms like the romance.
- Aesthetic Intention: They aimed to achieve beauty primarily through imagery, striving to eliminate any element from the poem deemed non-beautiful.
- Themes: They focused particularly on human affairs, including love, death, fate, folklore, and deep roots.
- Versification: They utilized both traditional and classical verse forms. They also employed free verse, seeking rhythm through the repetition of words, syntactic patterns, or parallel ideas.
Major Authors of the Generation of ’27
Gerardo Diego (1896–1987)
Born in Santander, died in Madrid. Professor and member of the Royal Academy. Awarded the National Prize for Literature in 1925. His themes are traditional: love, religion, and music, often presented in the form of ballads and sonnets.
Selected Works:
- Ballads of the Bride
- Image
- Human Verses
- Divine Verses
Federico García Lorca (1898–1936)
Born and assassinated in Granada. Studied Literature and Law at the University of Granada. Traveled to New York in 1929, returning the following year. In 1932, he founded La Barraca, a traveling theater group formed by university students. Assassinated in Víznar in 1936. His work is characterized by a tragic tone and the pervasive presence of death. He created metaphors and images of great originality and expressive power, often covering themes of Andalusian folklore.
Selected Works:
- Songs
- Poems of Flamenco Singing
- Gypsy Ballads (Poetry)
- Blood Wedding (Theater)
- The House of Bernarda Alba (Theater)
Miguel Hernández (1910–1942)
Born in Orihuela, Alicante, died in Alicante. Of humble origins, he acquired most of his culture through extensive reading. In 1934, he moved to Madrid where he met Aleixandre and Neruda. He participated in the Civil War on the Republican side, leading to his imprisonment until his death from tuberculosis in 1942. His work is full of passionate ardor and vehemence.
Selected Works:
- The Ray Does Not Cease
- Wind of the People
- Songbook and Ballads of Absence
The Generation of ’98: Literary Renewal
Defining Characteristics of the Generation of ’98
- They analyzed the “Problem of Spain” and sought solutions. They intended to understand Spain by touring the country, describing its towns, cities, and monuments.
- They focused especially on Castile, viewing it as representative of the Spanish essence and its decay.
- Their works were often expressed in prose.
- Their style was sober, concise, and clear.
- Content predominated over form, aiming to reach the reader as clearly as possible.
- They utilized common words, localisms, and archaisms.
- Primary Themes: Spain and religion.
Major Authors of the Generation of ’98
Miguel de Unamuno (1864–1936)
Born in Bilbao, died in Salamanca. He is considered the most representative writer of the Generation of ’98 and was admired by his contemporaries. He studied Philosophy and Letters in Madrid and served for many years as a professor of Greek and later as rector (chancellor) at the University of Salamanca. His style, while not always precise, is elegant and engaging. He often uses passionate language, and sometimes his arguments are not strictly ordered.
Selected Works:
- San Manuel Bueno, Martyr
- Aunt Tula
- Mist (or Fog)
Azorín (José Martínez Ruiz) (1873–1967)
Born in Alicante, died in Madrid. His highly personal style draws attention to his descriptive artistry. He felt deeply about the problems of Spain and focused heavily on Castile. His prose is characterized by an elegant and elaborate simplicity.
Selected Works:
- The Will
- The Confessions of a Young Philosopher
- Antonio Azorín
Pío Baroja (1872–1956)
Born in San Sebastián, died in Madrid. He trained as a physician but abandoned his career to dedicate himself to literature. His vision of Spanish reality is bitter and pessimistic. His style is vigorous, dynamic, and expressive, prioritizing simplicity and clarity.
Selected Works:
- The Search
- Weed
- Red Dawn
- Zalacaín the Adventurer