The Literary Legacy of Spain's Generation of '98 Masters

The Generation of '98: Characteristics and Themes

Key Features of the Generation of '98

• Antirhetoric: Characterized by a sober and elegant style, emphasizing clarity and precision.
• Subjectivism: Literature reflects the authors' personal feelings and inner concerns.
• Traditionalism: Deep interest in the history and essence of Spain, leading to the use of traditional vocabulary and classical forms.
• Genre Innovation: Frequent use of the essay (trial) as a means of intellectual expression.

Major Thematic Concerns

• The Topic of Spain: Reflection on the causes of national decline and the idealization of the Spanish and Castilian landscape.
• Existential Issues: Focus on man's destiny, the meaning of life, death, and the passage of time.
• Religious Themes: Exploration of faith, doubt, and spirituality.

Principal Representatives of the '98 Movement

• Miguel de Unamuno

  A key figure linking philosophy and literature, deeply concerned with the fate of Spain. Known for his realistic model and existential depth.

  Key Work: San Manuel Bueno, mártir.

• Pío Baroja

  Prolific novelist known for his pessimistic view and dynamic narrative style.

  Key Works: The Search (La busca) or The Tree of Knowledge (El árbol de la ciencia).

• Azorín (José Martínez Ruiz)

  Master of descriptive prose and literary criticism, focusing on the passage of time and the Spanish landscape.

  Key Novel: Will (La voluntad).

• Ramón María del Valle-Inclán

  Author of novels, poems, and plays, known for creating the literary genre of the esperpento (grotesque tragicomedy).

  Key Works: Bohemian Lights (Luces de bohemia) and Tyrant Flags (Tirano Banderas).

Antonio Machado: Evolution and Style

Stage One: Modernist Influences (e.g., Soledades)

Themes of Machado's First Stage

• Evocation of the past and childhood memories.
• The passage of time and the transience of life.
• Inner feelings: loneliness, melancholy, and introspection.
• The landscape as a reflection of the poet's feelings (pathetic fallacy).

Stylistic Features

• Symbolism: The afternoon symbolizes melancholy; water flowing to the river symbolizes life leading to death (the sea); sleep symbolizes interior life.
• Use of sensory elements.
• Simple metric structure, often incorporating modernist elements like Alexandrine verses.

Stage Two: Focus on Castile (e.g., Campos de Castilla)

Themes of Machado's Second Stage

• Patriotic Concern: The issue of Spain, distinguishing between the current, criticized Spain and the Spain in which he believes and hopes.
• The Castilian Landscape: Descriptions of the poor and barren landscape of Castile, which, while seemingly objective, carry a clear subjective component, symbolizing the soul of Spain.
• Existential Themes: Continued focus on the passage of time, the meaning of life, and death.
• Religion and God: Defense and exploration of religious faith.

Stylistic Features

• Machado employs a stylistic cleansing, moving towards greater simplicity and directness.
• Objective descriptions of the Castilian landscape become common.
• Symbolism remains present, though often integrated into the landscape descriptions.

In 1924, Machado published a new collection titled New Songs (Nuevas canciones).

Analysis of the Poem "Caminos" (Roads)

The title of the poem, Caminos (Roads), conveys the protagonist's journey through life, which inevitably leads to death. The poem attempts to visualize the final moment of existence, the point where everything concludes.

The speaker travels the road of life as evening falls, symbolizing the approach of death. The poem utilizes various rhetorical devices, including:

• Anaphora
• Rhetorical questions
• Personification
• Epithets
• Egocentrism (focus on the self)

The poem features consistent rhyme throughout all verses. While often interpreted through the lens of existential themes, the poem also addresses the theme of disappointment in love or grief over the loss of a loved one, approaching death from a negative and pessimistic perspective.