Spanish Literary Giants: Modernism and Generation of '98

This document highlights key figures and their significant contributions to Spanish literature, focusing on the Modernist movement and the Generation of '98.

Rubén Darío

Rubén Darío was born in Nicaragua, a diplomat by profession, who came into contact with new poetry trends in Argentina. He visited Spain in 1892 and 1899, returning recognized as the greatest exponent of Modernism. His notable works include Azul, Prosas Profanas, and Cantos de Vida y Esperanza.

Key Aspects of Rubén Darío's Work

• Themes: Exoticism, cosmopolitanism, sensuality, asceticism, intimacy, and unworthiness, along with an abundance of Hispanic themes. An example is 'Cyrano in Spain'.
• Form: Enriched lexicon and revolutionized metrics, utilizing all resources to create a modernist imagery. Notable for 'princesses who...'.

Manuel Machado

Manuel Machado was among the first to combine agile lyricism with gravity. His poems celebrate life, bohemia, purity, superficial love affairs, and the intimate characters of Spanish history. Key works include Alma and Apolo.

Pío Baroja

Pío Baroja's extensive work can be categorized into several thematic groups:

• Basque Environment: Novels set in the Basque Country, including La Casa de Aizgorri, Zalacaín el Aventurero, and El Mayorazgo de Labraz.
• Psychological Novels: Works exploring psychological depth, such as La Vida Fantástica, which includes Aventuras, inventos y mixtificaciones de Silvestre Paradox, El Árbol del Conocimiento, and Paradox, Rey.
• Historical Novels: The extensive series Memorias de un Hombre de Acción, comprising 22 novels whose hero is a guerrilla conspirator living in the first third of the nineteenth century.

Miguel de Unamuno

Ángel del Río classified Miguel de Unamuno's novels as follows:

• Historical: Paz en la Guerra.
• Ideological and Existential: Amor y Pedagogía.
• Tragic: Abel Sánchez, La Tía Tula.

Another significant work is the novel San Manuel Bueno, mártir, in which a devout priest spreads faith to his parishioners without them knowing he has lost his own.

The Generation of '98: Essayists

The essayists of the Generation of '98 critically examined Spain's past, present, and future:

• Ramiro de Maeztu: A strong supporter of the Europeanization of Spain. His works include La Crisis del Humanismo and Defensa de la Hispanidad.
• Miguel de Unamuno: Explored the internal struggles of humanity in Del Sentimiento Trágico de la Vida and La Agonía del Cristianismo. He also addressed the problem of Spain in En Torno al Casticismo, Vida de Don Quijote y Sancho, and Andanzas y Visiones Españolas.
• José Martínez Ruiz 'Azorín': Focused his essays on vivid images of Spanish life (e.g., Pueblo, La Ruta de Don Quijote, and Castilla) and literary criticism (e.g., Lecturas Españolas and Más Allá de los Clásicos).

Ramón María del Valle-Inclán

Ramón María del Valle-Inclán's diverse literary output includes:

• Mythic Cycle: Characterized by initial modernist evocations, later becoming more personal and set in the Galician countryside. This cycle emphasizes the trilogy Comedias Bárbaras, formed by Águila de Blasón, Romance de Lobos, and Cara de Plata.
• Farce: Defined by mockery and criticism of society in works like La Cabeza del Dragón.
• Esperpento: A unique dramatic genre offering a grotesque and distorted vision of reality. Its objective is to make the viewer aware of society's true nature. Key works include Luces de Bohemia and the Martes de Carnaval trilogy, composed of Los Cuernos de Don Friolera, Las Galas del Difunto, and La Hija del Capitán. In prose, Tirano Banderas stands out.