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Modernism and the Generation of '98 in Spanish Literature

Understanding Spanish Modernism

The late 19th and early 20th centuries in Spain witnessed the emergence of two significant literary and intellectual movements: Modernism and the Generation of '98. Modernism, in particular, sought a profound artistic renewal, standing in opposition to realism. This period coincided with Spain's significant loss of its last colonies, a severe blow that sparked discussions about national regeneration.

Definition and Origins of Modernism

Modernism is defined as a movement advocating for political, ideological, social, and religious renewal and change. It originated around 1880 in Hispanic America and arrived in Spain primarily through the influential work of... Continue reading "Key Eras in Spanish Literature: Modernism & The '98 Generation" »

Renaissance: New Ideas

• Appreciation of human beings: Anthropocentrism and individualism
• Critical spirit
• New force of classical culture
• New conception of the state: The Prince by Machiavelli
• New forms of social relations: Bourgeoisie (new values: wealth and economic power)
• Crisis of traditional morality

Restoration of Books - Poetry

• Italian influence
• Metric renewal: Hendecasyllables and seven syllables; lira, triplets, octavas reales, estancias or silvas
• New genres: Song, eclogue, epistle
• New topics: Love, nature, myths

First Half of the 16th Century: Garcilaso de la Vega

• Themes: Love, nature, mythology
• Works: Sonnets, songs, elegies, epistles, and 3 eclogues

Second Half of the 16th Century: Mystical Poetry

Fray Luis de Leon

• Themes: Rustic loneliness, desire

Naturalism

Naturalism was a drift of Realism in France during the last decades of the 19th century. Its creator was Émile Zola, who presented his theory in works such as The Experimental Novel and Evenings of Médan.

• Naturalists relied on observation and experimentation.
• Topics covered were related to marginalization in all its aspects.
• They were interested in miserable and sad environments, and characters were often marginalized (alcoholics, 'morons', etc.).
• Technically, the authors' documentation and naturalistic observation were proclaimed by Realism.
• The writer's attitude toward reality was to be impartial.
• The end of the novel was moral: the writer aimed to improve society.

Naturalistic Novel in Spain

From 1883, when Emilia Pardo Bazán published... Continue reading "Literary Trends in Late 19th Century Spain" »

Joaquim Ruyra: Life and Literary Contributions

Joaquim Ruyra was born in Girona on September 27, 1858, and died in Barcelona on May 15, 1939. He was a Catalan writer, considered one of the greatest storytellers of the modern 20th century. Heir to rural properties in Blanes, his father was a lawyer in Girona, where Ruyra studied at the seminary of St. Martin. After attending the Institut Street Force in 1873, he participated in the Carlist War.

A narrator and writer of the Art Nouveau era, Ruyra was recognized by J. F. He collaborated with several magazines. In 1919, he published The Stop, and in 1931, he published The Copla. The government commissioned him to write the biography of Ramon Turró.

Ruyra's Major Works

Poetry:

• The Land of Plenty, 1906
• Ventises-

The Popular Lyric: The conversation in popular lyrics was often captured in songbooks of the era. A common lyrical form is the Christmas carol.

Carol Structure

Carols typically feature opening lines that are partially or wholly repeated as a refrain. They usually have four or more verses. Two lines often rhyme: one with the refrain and another, called the back line, with the chorus.

Carols were used in performances on biblical themes.

The Romance

The romance form, with its series of eight-syllable lines in rhyming pairs (assonance in even lines), originates from epic verses. Both primitive and minstrel romances, created in the 15th century, are part of the old ballads. They are lyrical-epic in character and cover a variety of topics, including historical... Continue reading "Spanish Renaissance Poetry: Forms, Themes, and Key Authors" »

Theater in the 20th Century Before 1936

Commercial Theater

1. Trends

1.1. Commercial Theater: No Frills

1.2. Authors and Works

• Jacinto Benavente: *The Unloved*
• Carlos Arniches: *The Chiefs*
• Serafín and Joaquín Álvarez Quintero: *The Cain Theater Renovation*

Theater Renovation

1. Features

2. Authors and Works

• Valle-Inclán: *Luces de Bohemia*
• Lorca: *Blood Wedding*

Overview: In the theater before the Civil War, there were two main trends: commercial theater and theater renovation. The commercial theater included more conventional works that catered to the public's tastes of the time, such as comedies of bourgeois atmosphere (e.g., *Autumn Roses*) and rural melodramas (e.g., *The Unloved*) by Jacinto Benavente. Modern literature included Carlos Arniches... Continue reading "Spanish Theater Pre-Civil War: Key Figures and Works" »

Spanish Narrative to 1939

The Spanish narrative up to 1939 has its origins in the crisis of 1898. This, coupled with a growing loss of confidence in the positivism of the previous century, led to pessimism and "anguish." This social and ideological situation was joined by a special cultural development. A group of eager young writers emerged, imbued with refreshing ideas, including Ramiro de Maeztu, Pío Baroja, Miguel de Unamuno, Jacinto Benavente, Rubén Darío, Ramón del Valle-Inclán, and the Machado brothers. They lived intensely through the historical events and issues of Spain and were especially sensitive to the "disaster of '98."

The Generation of '98

The term "Generation of '98" is mainly associated with writers such as Azorín, Baroja,... Continue reading "Spanish Narrative to 1939: Generation of '98 & Modernism" »

Roman Theater: Origins and Characteristics

Theater emerged in Rome after the epic period and just before the lyric period. Although several theatrical genres were cultivated, comedy was the most triumphant. Representative authors of Roman comedy include Plautus and Terence.

Roman Comedy: Influences and Types

Roman comedy draws heavily on Greek comedy, adapting themes and character types to Roman customs. Different types of comedy include:

• Fabula Palliata: Characterized by a Greek setting. Actors wore the Greek costume, called pallium in Rome.
• Fabula Togata: Featured a Roman setting and characters dressed in the Roman toga.

Plays could be classified as:

• Motoriae (busy)
• Statariae (calmer)
• Mixtae (a combination of both)

Plautus: Master of Roman Comedy

Plautus... Continue reading "Roman Theater and Comedy: Plautus and Terence" »

Ramón María de Valle-Inclán: Literary Analysis

Ramón María de Valle-Inclán's literary output is usually divided into two stages:

1. The modernist sense, aristocratic conception paradigm of English Parnassian of "Art for Art's sake."
2. The *noventayochistas* and grotesque (for his critical spirit and patriotic themes).

Modernist Works: Sonatas

The trilogy of novels of the Carlist War is formed by The Crusaders in the Cause, The Glow of the Fire, and Bigwigs of the Past (+ modernist features grotesque).

*Noventayochistas* Works

Tirano Banderas, a historical novel about the fall of a Hispanic dictator. The Iberian Ring, an incomplete trilogy, a historical theme.

Sonatas

A major constituent of his novels is *Sonatas*, containing the alleged memories of... Continue reading "Valle-Inclán's Literary Stages, Works, and Themes" »

The Evolution of 20th Century Spanish Theater

Facing the neo-romantic drama, cultivated by Echegaray and other playwrights of his school, a new theater emerged, aiming to reflect a real, everyday world in which viewers could see themselves. The 1936 Spanish Civil War implied a radical break in Spanish literary and theatrical production.

Federico García Lorca, along with Ramón del Valle-Inclán, are considered the great innovators of contemporary Spanish theater. Lorca's "La Barraca" was launched to represent classics throughout Spain, fostering quality theater.

Spanish Theater Styles (Early 20th Century to 1936)

In the period from the beginning of the century until 1936, Spanish theater offered diverse forms:

• Bourgeois Comedy

  Characterized by hilarious