Spanish Literary Modernization: Regenerationism and the 1902 Novels

Regenerationism and Europeanization in Spain

Regenerationism, an ideology born in the 1860s, sought to modernize Spain. Joaquín Costa, a prominent figure, wrote extensively on politics, agriculture, history, and economics. Costa's efforts to modernize and Europeanize Spain involved importing social ideas, inventions, and improvements from Germany, France, and England. His most important book, Oligarchy and Despotism, critiques the political system:

• Oligarchy: Rule by a few who control the entire country.
• State Despotism: A corrupt electoral system where local bosses control the votes of their region.

Regenerationism sacrifices aesthetic beauty for practical purposes. Its aim is to revive Spanish society through the creation of new infrastructure and institutions. Regenerationist literature has a social, political, and moral focus. It aimed to fix Spain's social problems without changing the political regime, solely through non-fiction books and the establishment of new institutions.

The Novels of 1902: A New Literary Era

The realistic novel is conceived as a mirror reflecting the truth of its social epoch. Therefore, it is the offspring of positivist philosophy. Positivism consists of a maximum confidence in science, reason, and information from the senses. Positivism does not believe in anything that is not proven by the scientific method.

A thesis novel is a realistic novel that is not entirely objective; thus, it carries a strong subjective burden. The political thesis is a proposal that develops throughout the narration. One of the best-known thesis novels was Doña Perfecta by Galdós. This novel is set in Orbajosa, an invented village, symbolizing the 'Big City' that Galdós wishes to denounce. What Galdós denounces in this novel is the moral backwardness of successful rural Spanish society.

The naturalistic novel is presented as totally objective and scientific. The creator of naturalism was Émile Zola. The naturalistic novel is a treatise where characters' genetic inheritance and the environment in which they live shape their conformation. The first Spanish naturalistic novel is The Disinherited.

The novels from 1902 are the first narratives of the twentieth century published by the Generation of '98 writers. Four novels were published that changed the Spanish literary scene:

• Sonata de Otoño by Valle-Inclán
• La Voluntad by Azorín
• Camino de Perfección by Baroja
• Amor y Pedagogía by Unamuno

Key Characteristics of the 1902 Novels

1. Mixture of Genres

   These novels are hybrids of essays, poetry, and even theater. For instance, Valle-Inclán, as an aesthetician, wrote prose with a musical rhythm, blending lyrical and narrative elements. In Azorín's La Voluntad, the novel mixes with protagonists who are essayists. For example, Antonio Azorín and his father Lasalde spend entire chapters discussing politics and literary issues. These essayistic digressions interrupt the argument of the novel. A digression is a departure from the central action of the narrative, where one of the characters expresses their views for several pages.

2. Thinning of the Action

   The argument, or the story told, loses weight, while digressions, the psychology of the characters, dialogue, and the ambiance gain prominence.

3. Autobiographical Protagonists

   The protagonists of the 1902 novels are often an alter ego of the author, living experiences similar to the writer. For example, the protagonist of Azorín's La Voluntad is named Antonio Azorín. The name of an invented character becomes the real name of the writer.

4. The Impressionist Landscape

   While a realistic novel aims for truthfulness in all details, like having a photo in front of you, the descriptions by the Generation of '98 writers are short, colorful, and subjective, akin to impressionistic painting. In impressionist painting, there are only patches of color, and that color reflects what the artist wants, not necessarily what exists in reality. Similarly, descriptions in 1902 novels are very indefinite and highly subjective. The first painter who embodied the color he wanted, rather than reality, was El Greco.

5. Subjectivism

   While the realistic novel aims to be objective and capture the exact reality of things, the novels of 1902 do not seek truth or reality; instead, they aim to shape the writer's inner world.