Spanish Literary Renewal: Generation of '98 and Antonio Machado

Introduction: The Generation of '98 and Modernism

Traditionally, authors of the late 19th and early 20th centuries have been divided into two groups: Noventayochistas and Modernists. This separation is now considered outdated, and both Modernism and the Generation of '98 (G98) are seen as two aspects of the movement of literary and poetic renewal of the early 20th century. The G98 denomination was applied by José Martínez Ruiz (Azorín) to a number of authors including Pío Baroja, Miguel de Unamuno, Ramiro de Maeztu, Ramón María del Valle-Inclán, Antonio Machado, and ultimately himself. The Generation of '98 is now understood to be part of Modernism, which was a more complex and rich movement.

In 1898, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines, the last overseas colonies Spain possessed, gained their independence after years of war with the help of the USA. This historical event, since acknowledged as "the Disaster of '98," led to Spain's final decline. The causes were examined, and solutions sought. These authors, framed within the Noventayochistas, dedicated themselves to understanding the G.98. Although seen as a particular aspect of Modernism, there are some features of the G98 that give it individuality and personality.

Antonio Machado: Life and Works

Life of Antonio Machado

Born in Seville in 1876, Antonio Machado moved to Madrid at 8 years old and was educated at the Institución Libre de Enseñanza (ILE). In 1907, he became a Professor of French and worked as a teacher for 5 years in Soria. There, he married Leonor Izquierdo, but their marriage was short as Leonor died of illness. The memory of his wife accompanied him throughout his work. He later moved to Baeza. He fell in love with Pilar Valderrama. He belonged to the Real Academia Española (RAE) and his ideology was progressive. In 1939, he exiled to Republican France, dying in February of that year in Collioure.

Key Works of Antonio Machado

Among his works are Soledades, Galerías y Otros Poemas (1907) and Nuevas Canciones (1924). These works are within the Modernist and Noventayochista aesthetic.

• Soledades, Galerías y Otros Poemas (1912)

  The verses are intimate and often have a melancholic tone. The poet uses various symbols: galleries, sleep, water, etc. He expresses his feelings and memories, eventually moving to universal themes such as man, love, God, and death. From a formal point of view, his compositions show a concern for rhythm and musicality.

• Campos de Castilla (1912)

  Campos de Castilla (1912) was one of the most representative books of the Generation of '98. The author is now more restrained in his poetic language. Some poems focus on describing the lands of Soria, and beyond the landscape, the author offers a critical reflection on the broader Spanish landscape. Later, Castile gives way to Andalusia, which also evokes the memory of Leonor.

• Nuevas Canciones (1924)

  Nuevas Canciones (1924) is a mixed and uneven work. It consists of notes and recollections of Andalusian and Castilian landscapes, as well as a hundred short compositions (proverbs and songs) that follow a philosophical path. There are also some memories of his wife and several other poems. During the Spanish Civil War, Machado's poetic ability shone again in poems like "El crimen fue en Granada," dedicated to the death of Federico García Lorca.