Unit 5 Overview: La Generación del 98 y el Modernismo

3 min read•march 15, 2023

Sylvia Rodriguez

AP Spanish Literature 💃🏽

24 resources

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It is important to understand the historical and cultural context in which the authors of the Generation of '98 and the Modernismo movement wrote. This unit covers authors from both Spain and Latin America, and their work reflects the social, political, and cultural changes of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Historical Context:

The Generation of '98 refers to a group of Spanish writers who were disillusioned with the state of Spain at the turn of the century. The country had just lost its remaining colonies, including Cuba and the Philippines, and the writers were grappling with a sense of loss and a need to redefine Spanish identity. The Modernismo movement, on the other hand, emerged in Latin America and Spain as a response to the changing times. The movement was characterized by a focus on language, form, and aesthetics, and it sought to break away from the traditional literary styles of the past.

The Generation of '98 and the Modernismo movement are significant literary movements that marked a shift in Spanish and Latin American literature. The writers of the Generation of '98, such as Miguel de Unamuno and Antonio Machado, were deeply affected by the political and social upheavals of the time, including Spain's loss of its colonies and the decline of the country's empire. These writers sought to redefine Spanish identity by exploring the country's cultural heritage and traditions, and they emphasized the importance of individualism and freedom of expression.

In contrast, the Modernismo movement, which emerged in the late 19th century, was characterized by a focus on language, form, and aesthetics. Writers such as Rubén Darío and José Martí sought to break away from traditional literary styles and create a new form of literary expression. Modernismo was characterized by its use of vivid imagery, musical language, and experimentation with form and structure.

Unit 5 of the AP Spanish Literature course focuses on the works of these two movements and their impact on Spanish and Latin American literature. The unit explores the themes of identity, nationalism, and modernity, as well as the impact of these movements on contemporary literature.

Overview:

This unit covers a selection of works from both the Generation of '98 and the Modernismo movement. These works explore themes such as national identity, cultural heritage, social change, and artistic expression.

In addition to exploring the themes of national identity, cultural heritage, social change, and artistic expression, this unit also examines the literary techniques and styles employed by the writers of the Generation of '98 and the Modernismo movement. The works in this unit reflect the cultural and social changes of the time and showcase the writers' struggles with their own identities and their place in society.

Themes:

Some of the major themes that are explored in this unit include:

National Identity: Many of the authors in this unit explore the question of what it means to be Spanish or Latin American. They grapple with the country's history and cultural heritage in order to define their own identity and the identity of their people.
Cultural Heritage: Along with national identity, many of the authors in this unit also explore the cultural heritage of their countries. They look to their history and traditions in order to understand their place in the world and to connect with their readers.
Social Change: The authors in this unit were writing during a time of great social change. They explore issues such as poverty, inequality, and political oppression, and they often use their work as a means of calling for change.
Artistic Expression: The Modernismo movement was characterized by a focus on form and aesthetics, and many of the authors in this unit experimented with language and literary devices in order to create a unique artistic expression.

The works covered in this unit are significant for their exploration of identity, culture, and social change. They are also important for their contributions to the development of modern Spanish and Latin American literature.

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🤺Unit 5 – La Generación del 98 y el Modernismo

5.0Unit 5 Overview: La Generación del 98 y el Modernismo

5.1San Manuel Bueno, mártir Miguel de Unamuno

5.3 “Nuestra América” José Martí

5.4 “A Roosevelt” Rubén Darío

5.5"El hijo” Horacio Quiroga

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