Key Figures and Literary Works of the Generation of '98

Miguel de Unamuno

He wrote poetry, essays, articles, plays, and novels. He used these forms to express his political opinions, religious reflections, and philosophical conceptions of man and reality. He called his creations nivolas, which are characterized by their philosophical content and lack of reference to external reality. Notable works include Mist (1914) and Saint Manuel Bueno, Martyr (1933).

José Martínez Ruiz, "Azorín"

His work emphasizes the careful observation of reality. His style features descriptive prose with short sentences, where words stand out for their precision and sonority. His concept of the novel is very free; there are hardly any plots, and the characters serve as an excuse to include descriptions, recollections, or thoughts. Major works include The Will (1902) and Antonio Azorín (1903).

Pío Baroja

The sullen and independent character of Baroja is reflected in his novels. His pessimistic view and sincerity led him to attack the moral and political hypocrisy of contemporary society.

The Novels of Thought

In these works, he exposed his philosophical ideas and his vision of human beings. The Tree of Knowledge (1911) is a prime example of the political and existential crisis experienced by the Generation of '98. The protagonist is a young medical student who later practices medicine in a village and the capital.

The Novels of Action

Baroja satisfied the taste for adventure through characters who live outside social conventions. Notable works include Zalacaín the Adventurer (1909), The Restlessness of Shanti Andía (1911), and Memoirs of a Man of Action. His style is characterized by rapid prose, far from traditional literary language, with a predominance of action over psychology.

Ramón María del Valle-Inclán

He is the most unique and original writer of the period. His work evolved from early Modernism to the creation of the esperpento (grotesque) as a genre. Key works include:

• The Four Sonatas (1902-1905): Early modernist masterpieces.
• Tirano Banderas (1926): A novel about a murderous Hispanic dictator that influenced American literature.
• The Iberian Circle (1927): An unfinished trilogy focusing on the reign of Elizabeth II.

Later in his career, Valle-Inclán introduced a more direct style to reflect social criticism, culminating in his grotesque works after 1920.