The Generation of '98: Spanish Literary Renewal

The Generation of '98: A Pivotal Era in Spanish Literature

The year 1898 is symbolic, marking a pivotal literary period in modern Spanish literature. It is famously known as the "year of disaster."

Historical Context and Emergence

The remnants of Spain's former colonial empire succumbed to the strong force of the United States in a dispute over colonial territories. This political discontent, widespread depression, and moral and economic plight characterized Spain as it witnessed the U.S. seize its last possessions. This profound national crisis became the central theme and motivation for a restless group of young intellectuals, who were then around thirty years old.

This painful reality captured the national attention and passion of the Generation of '98 writers and thinkers. They were pioneers of a long period of investigation, search, and expression of Spanish consciousness—its history, its roots, and its destiny. The Generation of '98, therefore, emerged from a specific historical circumstance to which young Spanish creators reacted from sometimes contradictory positions, with the intention of reviewing Spain's historical values and renewing national awareness.

However, literary reasons also contributed to the emergence of this group, especially the perceived exhaustion of the realistic literature prevalent in the nineteenth century.

Key Characteristics of the Generation of '98

• Philosophical and Intellectual Focus: The dominance of philosophical and intellectual interest over purely aesthetic concerns stands out. They sought authenticity and essentiality in their work.
• Discovery of the National Landscape: They focused on the discovery of the national landscape, particularly the Castilian, which they closely linked to the human and moral landscape.
• Search for Intrahistory: They sought historical significance in everyday life, a concept they termed intrahistory.
• Individualism: They possessed a keen spirit of individualism.
• Deep Knowledge of Spain: A profound need to deepen their understanding of Spain at all levels.

Literary Sources and Ideological Influences

Their literary sources included early medieval works (such as those by Berceo, the Archpriest of Hita, and Manrique), ballads, and then little-known authors like Góngora or Gracián.

The influence of pessimistic, existential, nihilistic, and anarchist thought of the time was very important. Their ideological guides included prominent figures such as Friedrich Nietzsche, Arthur Schopenhauer, Søren Kierkegaard, and Henrik Ibsen.

Prominent Authors and Their Works

• Miguel de Unamuno

  Emphasized the assertion of personality, the fighting instinct, the desire to dominate others, and the theme of death. Key works include Mist (Niebla), Abel Sánchez, and San Manuel Bueno, Martyr.

• Azorín (José Martínez Ruiz)

  Characterized by his focus on cyclical time and a thorough analysis of perception. Notable works: The Will, Antonio Azorín, Doña Inés.

• Pío Baroja

  Advocated for a novel open to all possibilities, proclaiming absolute freedom for the novelist. His style was anti-rhetorical: short paragraphs, concise sentences, and common lexicon. Major works: The Tree of Knowledge, Zalacaín the Adventurer.