Evolution of the 20th Century Spanish Essay

The Spanish Essay in the 20th Century

The development of the essay during the twentieth century is defined by its historical context. Various factors contributed to this evolution: the crisis of traditional values, the accelerated rhythm of life, intensified individualism, and the sequence of historical events leading to social transformations, such as the background of wars and the inability to fully comprehend human existence. All these elements helped elevate the essay as the ideal vehicle for reflecting on reality.

The Generation of '98

Following the crisis produced by the colonial disaster of 1898, the authors of the Generation of '98 became obsessed with the historical, philosophical, and sociological state of the country.

The most important figure of this movement was Miguel de Unamuno, whose works include:

• Around Casticismo (from an existential view)
• The Tragic Sense of Life
• The Agony of Christianity

Other notable authors included:

• Ramiro de Maeztu, who wrote Defense of Hispanidad.
• José Martínez Ruiz (Azorín), author of The People and the Landscape Seen Through Spain.
• Pío Baroja, known for Passionate Ramblings and Small Trials.

Novecentismo

The main essayist of the Generation of '14 was José Ortega y Gasset. His fundamental philosophical contributions are found in books such as:

• The Rebellion of the Masses
• Invertebrate Spain
• The Dehumanization of Art (literary criticism)

Other figures of the '14 generation include Eugenio d'Ors, with his work Glossari, and Juan Ramón Jiménez, who wrote Three Worlds.

The Generation of '27

Authors of this phase focused particularly on the analysis of the creative writing process:

• Jorge Guillén: Language and Poetry.
• Luis Cernuda: Studies on Contemporary Spanish Poetry.
• Dámaso Alonso: Gongoristic Studies and Trials.

The Postwar Essay (1940s and 1950s)

After the Civil War, the essay declined dramatically due to exile and the ideological stranglehold of the time. In the 1940s, some authors attempted to renew contact with Europe and other streams of thought, such as Pedro Laín Entralgo and Dionisio Ridruejo. This decade also witnessed a decisive development in historical essays, notably with authors like Américo Castro.