Generation of 98: Literary Movement, Authors and Philosophy

Payroll of the Generation of 98

Religious and Existential Themes

The social, economic, and productive crisis at the end of the nineteenth century led to new renewals of philosophical reason. The "Augustinian" approach serves as a key element to indicate the sentiment that invades the men of the 98. This is present in Unamuno, Azorín, and Baroja.

The Theme of Spain

Spain was a favorite theme among the members of the Generation of 98, especially for Unamuno. Like the rest of the Generation of 98 members, he saw the essence of the Spanish Castilian soul, attracted by its austerity, and its ability to harbor certainty to suggest something that most of the sentiments captured.

Unamuno had a special interest in the "intraistoria"—the life of millions of ordinary men without whose silent work authentic cultural history is built. He wrote essays centered around purity, the land of Portugal and Spain, and Spanish adventures and visions.

Miguel de Unamuno

Unamuno is interesting for his literary depth, theoretical value, and originality. His novels are characterized as a vehicle for implementing his philosophy. These works are characterized by being different from the reduced-flow series of the era, prompting the author to call his novels "nivolas" to distinguish them from the traditional realist novels of his time and not critical of the novel form, considering traditional novels as somewhat burlesque representations of real people.

Pío Baroja

Pío Baroja dedicated himself almost exclusively to the novel. His works strive toward perfection and achievement through his characters, using archetypes and ethopoeia. For Baroja, the novel was an "open genre." Consequently, the action of the characters outweighed the plot. The external context and daily social life were subordinated to the characters. We must, finally, dispel the myth of the "careless style" that weighs upon Baroja.

José Martínez Ruiz "Azorín"

Azorín's work is very varied. He became known quickly through his collaborations in the press; in fact, the pseudonym Azorín appeared for the first time in an article published in Spain. His early narrative included a trilogy of will, and *Antonio Azorín* reflected the conditions of a small philosopher.

Ramiro de Maeztu

Ramiro de Maeztu is considered a major author within the Generation of 98, fundamentally standing out for his essays. His other works focused on the defense of Spain and Hispanism. In 1936, he was condemned to death.