Generation of '98: Crisis, Ideology, and Literary Style

Crisis and Ideology of the Generation of '98

The term Generation of '98 refers to a group of writers who developed their creative work during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This movement emerged from three primary circumstances:

• The Spanish Crisis: The political, economic, and moral decline of Spain in the late nineteenth century, exacerbated by the loss of the last colonies in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines in 1898. This event gave the generation its name.
• Narrative Depletion: The exhaustion of narrative forms within the realistic and naturalistic movements.
• Foreign Influence: The impact of international thinkers on the writers of '98, particularly philosophers and authors such as Nietzsche and Ibsen.

Themes in the Novels of the Generation of '98

The two primary concerns for the authors of the '98 were the subject of Spain and existential themes.

The issue of Spain was approached from various perspectives, reflecting the individualism and subjectivism characteristic of these authors. Each writer sought an image of Spain distinct from traditional tropes. This search focused on discovering the "soul of Spain" through three specific paths:

• The Landscape: Specifically the landscape of Castile, used to discover the austere and sober spirit of the Castilian people. The novelty lies in the subjective and idealistic viewpoint applied to the scenery.
• History: A focus not on major historical events, but on the "anonymous man" and the small occurrences of everyday life, which Miguel de Unamuno termed intrahistory.
• Literature: A return to medieval authors, forgotten classics like Góngora and Larra, and a deep interest in Cervantes to better understand the essence of Spain.

The existential theme covers diverse issues, including the meaning of life, the role of religion in society, doubts regarding the afterlife, and the psychological and moral conflicts of the human being.

The Narrative Style of the Generation of '98

The stylistic techniques of these authors were heavily influenced by their reformist spirit. Key features include:

• Rejection of Rhetoric: A proclamation for simplicity and clarity without sacrificing expressive power.
• Personal Style: The development of unique, individualistic voices.
• Departure from Realism: The removal of standard realistic procedures in favor of expressing the author's private emotions.
• Lexical Precision: A focus on choosing the exact word to convey meaning.
• Conciseness: A preference for short sentences, brief paragraphs, and natural expression.