1. Contemporary/Postmodern Literature (1950-Present) Lit Book pg. 905

2. Major Events/Eras 1945: the Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima brings in the Nuclear Age – Mushroom cloud represents both the height of scientific ingenuity and its potential for total destruction 1960s: Vietnam war sharply divides the nation, causes American disillusionment (again) 1970s: The Watergate Scandal and America’s Bicentennial sharply contrast disappointment and patriotism 1980s: Regarded as the “Me Generation”; saw the end of the Cold War Has the concept of the individual been lost in the fast- paced, computerized world?

3. Contemporary Fiction Postmodernism: a term still being defined; sees contemporary culture as change from modernism Postmodern writers allow for multiple meanings and multiple worlds Postmodernists ask themselves, “Why choose one version? Why limit ourselves?” Structured in nontraditional forms and does not follow conventional rules Literature comments upon and critique itself; encourages readers to come up with their own interpretation Contemporary fiction incredibly diverse, blends genres and time periods Gallows Humor: ironic humor arising from acknowledging the absurd or grotesque

5. Contemporary Nonfiction Since the 1970s, nonfiction also considered art Problems with nonfiction: – Traditional literary terms don’t apply – Ideas of accuracy and truth New Journalism – Uses literary devices – Does not keep personal opinions/ experiences out of writing Truman Capote Tom Wolfe Hunter S. Thompson

6. Contemporary Poetry Modernist poetry (impersonal and intellectual) declined after WWII Poets felt the need to challenge 1950s culture of conformity The Beat Poets – Focused on ideas of nonconformity and self expression (Howl by Allen Ginsberg) – Beat lifestyle included poetry, jazz, late night coffee houses – Places like San Francisco and Greenwich Village (NYC) I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness…

7. Contemporary Poetry Confessional School – Poets focused on their own private lives (unlike the Moderns) – Deals with personal experiences frankly and sometimes brutally Overall, American poetry since the 1970s characterized by its diversity, reflecting growing diversity of American audiences

8. Full Circle Contemporary fiction still deals with universal themes as American Literature from the 1800s Today’s literature takes influence from Transcendentalists, Dark Romantics…. and even the Puritans