Modernism in Literature What is it? When and why did it
happen?
Modernism in LiteratureWhat is it?When and why did it
happen?Dont confuse the Modernist movement with the standard
dictionary definition of modern:Of or relating to present times
(adj.)Synonyms: present day, current, contemporary
The Modern Age1915 -1946The devastation of WWI brought about an
end to the sense of optimism that had characterized the years
immediately preceding the war. Many people were left with a feeling
of uncertainty, disjointedness , and disillusionment. No longer
trusting the values of the world, people sought to find new ideas
that were more applicable to 20th century life. Modernists sought
to capture the essence of modern life.Why did Modernism Happen?In
the aftermath of WWI, people were faced with
:DisillusionDehumanizationSurvivor guilt andMechanized
DeathQuestions of the Modern EraWhat is human nature?What do I
know?Is it possible to know anything for sure?Is it just our
perception or point of view that dictates reality?Example of
Schrodingers cat: both alive and dead at the same timeWhat is
truth?The ExpatriatesThe postwar disenchantment led a number of
American writers to become expatriates, or exiles. They were
nicknamed The Lost Generation.F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest
Hemingway, Sherwood Anderson, Ezra Pound and T.S. Eliot were all
members of this group.What are the characteristics of
Modernism?Marked by a strong and intentional break with
tradition.This break includes a strong reaction against established
religious, political, and social views.A belief that reality is
created in the act of perceiving it; there is no such thing as
absolute truth.Life is unorderedCommon Themes of
ModernismAlienation, loss and despairReality vs. perception (point
of view)Championship of the individual and celebration of inner
strength.Concerned with the sub-conscious mind as well as the
conscious mindStrong and intentional break with tradition
Techniques in ModernismWriters and poets spurred common
conventions of writing: they might omit punctuation, or create a
new formWriting took on an experimental natureInfluenced by
developments in modern psychology, writers began using the
stream-of-consciousness technique, attempting to re-create the
natural flow of a characters thoughts.Techniques in ModernismLack
of traditional chronological narrative (discontinuous
narrative)Break of narrative frames fragmentation = disjointed and
nonlinear narratives. Modernist literature embraces fragmentation
as a literary form, since it reinforces the fragmentation of
reality Techniques used in Modernismflashback presents an event
from an earlier time, it interrupts the chronological presentation
of events.Interior monologue technique a kind of stream of
consciousness writing- presents characters thoughts in the form of
silent inner speech. Interior Monologue = a character
talking/thinking, using words specific to that character, making
assumptions, mistaken judgments, conclusions RIGHT FOR THAT
CHARACTER.Techniques used in ModernismStream of Consciousness - a
narrative technique that presents thoughts as if they were coming
directly from a characters mind. Instead of being arranged in
chronological order, the events are presented from the characters
point of view. Events are presented as the character thinks of
them, not in chronological order. Stream of consciousness tends to
be less ordered than interior monologue. Consciousness has no
beginning and no end thoughts flit quite randomly from one thing to
another.
Examples of Modern LiteratureJames Joyce His experimental work,
Ulysses, completely abandons generally accepted notions of plot,
setting, and charactersVirginia Woolfs To the Lighthouse, strays
from conventional forms, focusing on Stream of ConsciousnessStevie
Smiths Novel on Yellow Paper parodies conventionalityAldous Huxleys
Brave New World protests against the dangers and nature of modern
societyD. H. Lawrences works reflect on the dehumanizing effect of
modern society.T.S. Eliots The Wasteland emphasizes the emptiness
of Industrialism.American ModernismErnest Hemingway chronicles the
meaningless lives of the Lost GenerationF. Scott Fitzgerald The
Great Gatsby shows the corruption of the American Dream
What is Postmodernism?Postmodernism is a term that encompasses a
wide-range of developments in philosophy, film, architecture, art,
literature, and culture. Originally a reaction to modernism,
referring to the lack of artistic, intellectual, or cultural
thought or organized principle. Started around 1940s, exact date is
unknown. Peaked around the 1960s and 1970s with the release of
Catch 22 and Slaughterhouse Five
