Spanish Novel: Realism and the Generation of 1898

The 20th Century Spanish Novel

The Novel in the Early 20th Century

The realist novel was conceived as a copy of reality, describing environments, customs, and ways of life, while providing a psychological profile of the characters. The action takes place in recognizable, natural settings. Realism often brings a deterministic idea of existence, where man's behavior is marked by biological inheritance. Among the novelists of the realist tradition, Vicente Blasco Ibáñez is emphasized.

The Novel of the Generation of '98

The term Generation of '98 is due to Azorín, who nominated a series of articles referring to a group of young writers who began publishing toward the end of the century. They all shared a similar attitude of protest against society and against the state of literature, though their specific concerns differed, focusing primarily on the problem of Spain and philosophical issues.

Key Members of the Generation of '98

• Miguel de Unamuno
• Pío Baroja
• Azorín
• Ramiro de Maeztu
• Antonio Machado
• Valle-Inclán

What united them was the disastrous year of 1898, in which Spain lost its last colonies: Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.

Hallmarks of the Generation of '98 Writers

The hallmarks of the writers of the Generation of '98 are:

1. Concern about the Problem of Spain: The Disaster of '98 rapidly created a sense of crisis and decline across the country. The authors sought abstract and philosophical answers, searching for the essence of Spanish tradition (what Unamuno called "intra-history").
2. Philosophical Issues: Concerns like the meaning of life and human destiny are central to many of their works. These themes were influenced by philosophers such as Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, and Kierkegaard.

Characteristics of the Novel of '98

The novel of the Generation of '98, while attempting to reach a form of realism, has distinct characteristic features:

• It is set around a central protagonist who usually embodies the ideas or philosophical concerns of the author.
• The plot often sacrifices traditional narrative interest in favor of the characters' discussions and conversations.
• Reality is described through the sensitivity and perspective of the central character.