Spanish Literary Generations: 1898 and 1914

Generation of 1898: Key Features

The Generation of 1898 was a group of Spanish writers, essayists, and poets active during the Spanish-American War. Their shared characteristics include:

• Birth Dates: Members' birth dates were not widely separated, fostering a sense of shared experience.
• Generational Event: Deeply impacted by the Disaster of '98 (Spain's defeat in the Spanish-American War).
• Concern for Spain: A profound preoccupation with Spain's problems and its future.
• Recurring Themes: Common literary concerns and themes.
• Style: Based on natural, sober language, often seen in modern essays.

Poetry of the Generation of 1898

Antonio Machado

Born in Seville, Antonio Machado was a distinguished member of the Royal Spanish Academy.

Features

• Influence of Romanticism.
• Critical perspective on Spain's problems.
• Extensive use of symbolism.

Topics

• The passage of time.
• Castile and the vision of a new Spain.
• Interest in the Spanish landscape.
• Love and dreams.
• The concept of "People Without History."
• Religious skepticism.

Style

• Variety of stanzas.
• Refined poetic language.
• Emphasis on "the defining adjective."

Notable Works

• First Stage (1899-1907): Emphasizes Soledades (Solitudes).
• Second Stage (1907-1917): Emphasizes Campos de Castilla (Fields of Castile).
• Third Stage (1917-1926): Emphasizes Nuevas Canciones (New Songs).

Narrative of the Generation of 1898

General Characteristics of the Novel

• Focus on narration.
• Unique characters and their life experiences.
• Importance of dialogue.

Themes and Style

• Concern for Spain and its "intrahistory."
• Emphasis on genuine subjective reality.
• Significance of the landscape.

Pío Baroja

Born in San Sebastián, Pío Baroja was known for his deep pessimism.

Features

• Religious skepticism.
• Distrust in humanity.
• Influence of European philosophical currents.
• Focus on strong personalities.

Topics

• Exploration of life experiences (loneliness, bitterness, pessimism, etc.).

Notable Works

• First Stage (themes specific to the generation): La lucha por la vida (The Struggle for Life), which includes La busca (The Search).
• Second Stage (historical themes): Memorias de un hombre de acción (Memoirs of a Man of Action).

Miguel de Unamuno

Born in Bilbao, Miguel de Unamuno was deeply interested in the meaning of life.

Features

• Strong focus on characters.
• Little interest in specific spatial and temporal contexts.
• Importance of dialogue and internal monologue.

Notable Novels

• Niebla (Fog)
• San Manuel Bueno, mártir (Saint Manuel Bueno, Martyr)

Ramón María del Valle-Inclán (Narrative)

Born in Pontevedra, Valle-Inclán was known for his bohemian lifestyle.

Stages

• From the lyrical Sonatas to the grotesque Esperpento.

Themes and Style

• Love, death, and religion.
• Depiction of rural Spain.
• Careful, musical language.

Notable Works

• Sonatas
• La guerra carlista (The Carlist War)
• Tirano Banderas (Tyrant Banderas)
• El ruedo ibérico (The Iberian Arena)

José Martínez Ruiz 'Azorín'

Born in Alicante, Azorín often incorporated autobiographical elements into his work.

Features

• Light plot structures.
• Autobiographical elements.
• Occasional opposition to religion.
• Themes of the passage of time and life's transience.

Themes and Style

• Focus on the Spanish landscape.
• Exploration of Spain's past.
• Precision and clarity in writing.

Notable Works

• Novels: La voluntad (The Will), Antonio Azorín, Doña Inés.
• Essays: Ensayos de un pequeño filósofo (Essays of a Small Philosopher), Ensayos de crítica literaria (Essays of Literary Criticism).

Theater of the Generation of 1898

Commercial Theater

Themes

• Bourgeois or salon comedy.
• Poetic drama in verse.

Jacinto Benavente

Born in Madrid, Jacinto Benavente was a Nobel Prize in Literature laureate.

Notable Works

• Los intereses creados (The Bonds of Interest)
• La malquerida (The Ill-Beloved)
• El nido ajeno (The Other's Nest)

Renovative Theater

Ramón María del Valle-Inclán was a key figure in the renovation of Spanish theater.

Notable Works

• Luces de Bohemia (Bohemian Lights)
• Martes de Carnaval (Carnival Tuesday)

Generation of 1914

The Generation of 1914 emerged with distinct characteristics, influenced by a changing Spain.

Factors

• Social and political reforms.
• A growing sense of Spain as an integral part of Europe.

Features

• Pursuit of pure beauty in art.
• Incorporation of contributions from other European artistic movements.
• Emphasis on effective and precise language.

Novel of the Generation of 1914

Ramón Pérez de Ayala

Notable Novels

• Belarmino y Apolonio
• Tigre Juan (Tiger John)
• Troteras y danzaderas (Wanderers and Dancers)

Essay of the Generation of 1914

José Ortega y Gasset

Notable Essays

• El espectador (The Spectator)