The Generation of '98: Spanish Literary Identity

The Generation of '98: Context and Identity

The Generation of '98 was a group of writers, thinkers, scientists, and artists who were deeply affected by the crisis of late nineteenth-century values. They believed that the 1898 war and the loss of the last remnants of what was the Spanish Empire presented an appropriate time for moral regeneration, as well as social and cultural development.

Literary Style and Language Renewal

The writers of the Generation of '98 were interested in the formal renewal proposed by modernist art, but they differed from them because they sought a simple and anti-rhetorical style. They aimed to renew and enrich the language with neologisms, yet they preferred to recover traditional Castilian lexical forms.

Core Themes: Spain and Existentialism

The issues that primarily concerned this generation were the subject of Spain and the meaning of human life or existential problems. Within these themes, we can differentiate several characteristic features of their work:

• The Landscape: The landscape shown is generally the poor landscape of Castile. This is not reflected in a realistic manner, but with subjectivity; the authors projected their spirit upon it.
• History: The current history of the time was first considered the cause of the country's ills, but later, they explored the past to discover the intrinsic values of Castile and Spain.
• Existential Problems: These had a significant influence because the writers were unhappy with the world they lived in. They constantly questioned the meaning of human existence, the passage of time, and death, often suffering from vital anguish.

Literary Genres and Key Figures

The Novel

Novels chose a narrative that no longer merely portrayed reality but set out ideas and environments from a subjective point of view. They addressed the existential problems of the characters. Some works consist of a series of episodes, while others are raised from philosophical assumptions. The protagonists are often characters marginalized by society or anti-heroes.

The style of these novels is sober and anti-rhetorical, prioritizing simplicity and agility in ideological exposure. Highlights include Pío Baroja and Miguel de Unamuno.

Essays, Lyrics, and Theater

The essay flourished during this time. It served as a medium to express the concerns and preoccupations of the authors; the issues are consistent with the broader literature of the Generation of '98. Lyric poetry also revolved around the themes of Spain and the meaning of life. It utilized a poetic language marked by an anti-rhetorical will—a search for simplicity.

Theater and Innovation

In theater, we can appreciate the comedy of manners, which featured several aspects: comic elements, a modernist air, and an innovative trend.