Spanish Narrative to 1939: Generation of '98 & Modernism

Spanish Narrative to 1939

The Spanish narrative up to 1939 has its origins in the crisis of 1898. This, coupled with a growing loss of confidence in the positivism of the previous century, led to pessimism and "anguish." This social and ideological situation was joined by a special cultural development. A group of eager young writers emerged, imbued with refreshing ideas, including Ramiro de Maeztu, Pío Baroja, Miguel de Unamuno, Jacinto Benavente, Rubén Darío, Ramón del Valle-Inclán, and the Machado brothers. They lived intensely through the historical events and issues of Spain and were especially sensitive to the "disaster of '98."

The Generation of '98

The term "Generation of '98" is mainly associated with writers such as Azorín, Baroja, Unamuno, Valle-Inclán, Ramiro de Maeztu, and Antonio Machado. It was a literary generation of prose writers (except for Machado), and within this, the most cultivated genres were essays and novels. Related topics included Spain, its villages, its people, their customs, and existential concerns. The Castilian landscape is described with an emotional and inclusive sense. Antirhetoric, formal values, simplicity, naturalness, and sincerity, both stylistically and thematically, define the noventayochista style.

Key Authors

Azorín favored descriptions. A very important aspect is his style: simple and agile, with short sentences, strict order, clarity, accuracy, and a vocabulary that uses almost forgotten words. His works are true masterpieces of description. Among others, his works include The Will (1902) and Confessions of a Little Philosopher.

Pío Baroja was preoccupied with human suffering from a pessimistic perspective. In his works, predominantly narrative-driven, he used a simple, fluid, and engaging style. His characters struggle for survival. His narrative work is grouped into trilogies, including The Search & Poor People (1904), Aurora Roja (1905), Lady Errant, Fog City (1909), and The Tree of Science (1911), House of Aizgorri (1900), The Birthright of Labraz (1903), and Zalacaín the Adventurer (1909).

Miguel de Unamuno explored issues such as concern for the human being, their immortality, and their eagerness to find God. His technique blends the novel, essay, and humor. Among his novels are: Peace in War, Fog, Abel Sánchez, Aunt Tula, and San Manuel Bueno, Martyr.

Modernist Novel

Modernism began in 1885 with the first modernist generation. It is a literary movement that responds to a break with aesthetic forces. Key characteristics are aristocratic refinement, disagreement with bourgeois civilization, a preference for aesthetics, escapism, and cosmopolitanism. The most significant novelist is Valle-Inclán, whose work emphasizes renewal and an anti-realist attitude. The most important narratives are the Sonatas: Autumn Sonata, Summer Sonata, Spring Sonata, and Winter Sonata.

Noucentista Novel