Spanish Essayists: 19th Century to Democracy

The Evolution of the Spanish Essay: From the 19th Century to Democracy

The delicate political and economic situation that dominated the 19th century led into the 20th with a constant concern for the state of Spain. The proposed regeneration went hand in hand with the country, and in their writings, authors discussed the most pressing problems of the moment and postulated practical solutions. However, it was not only the Regenerationists who were concerned about the crisis of the century. In the essays of the Generation of '98, we also see spiritual concerns and anxiety about the meaning of life, fear of death, or the desire for immortality (Unamuno), political commentary from patriotic intellectuals and anarchists, charged with autobiographical elements (Baroja), reflections on the landscape, literary and cultural influences on the peoples of Spain (Azorín), or philosophical and aesthetic concerns (Antonio Machado).

Novecentismo: A Bourgeois Perspective

The Novecentists represented the established bourgeoisie. They were elitist and favored a secular state and a school system removed from the power of the Church. Attracted by the Europe of their time, they could not remain outside the conflict of the First World War and called for action in it. The main figures of this movement were José Ortega y Gasset and Eugenio d'Ors.

The Essay as a Vehicle for Political and Social Commentary

The essay and the newspaper article became the genres most exploited by these university intellectuals, who gave vent to their political ideologies and discussed the country's problems while proposing immediate solutions. Their writings were published in numerous journals, magazines, and newspapers of the time. Notable works include the political reflections of Manuel Azaña, the scientific and historical studies of Gregorio Marañón and Claudio Sánchez-Albornoz, and the philological work of Américo Castro and Salvador de Madariaga.

The Generation of '27: Art with a Conscience

In the Generation of '27, there was a shift from a conception of strictly avant-garde literature to the consideration that artwork should also express the moral, social, and political concerns of the authors. The most outstanding authors include Pedro Salinas, Luis Cernuda, and Dámaso Alonso.

Post-Civil War Essay: Reflection and Censorship

After the Civil War, the essay was affected by the death or exile of intellectuals, the war as a subject of reflection, and censorship. The Generation of '36 consisted of authors who lived through the war and admired Ortega y Gasset, such as María Zambrano. In the Generation of '56, some authors may have had greater access to foreign culture and believed that reality must be engaged with in order to transform it. Examples include Tierno Galván and Juan Marichal.

The Essay in Democracy

With the advent of democracy, several generations of essayists emerged. Some prominent names include Fernando Savater, Carmen Bobes, and Enrique Fuentes Quintana.

The Essay in the Press

Especially significant is the essay in the press, in which both men and women of culture dedicated to various professions contributed. Notable figures include Antonio Gala and Francisco Umbral.