Modernism 1915-1945

DEFINITION OF MODERNISM A cultural reform of art, architecture, music, literature, and theater.

DEFINITION OF MODERNISM Modernists rebelled against the ninetieth century traditions because they were “outdated”. Modernist literature came into its own due to increasing industrialization and globalization.

Historical Context Overwhelming technological changes Electricity Combustion engine Incandescent light bulbs Automobiles Airplanes Radios X-rays Fertilizers *People experienced life at a faster pace now Instead of new technology, the Modernist writer saw cold machinery and increased capitalism, which alienated the individual and led to loneliness.

- New war-fare technology made the war more destructive. Historical Context World War I first war of mass destruction - - New war-fare technology made the war more destructive. - People were shooting at people directly. - Automatic weapons were developed.

Most rejected religious beliefs Rejected moral principles Historical Context Grief over loss of past; fear of eroding traditions Most rejected religious beliefs Rejected moral principles Did not want to conform anymore Wanted freedom and re-invention spoke of the inner-self and consciousness.

Historical Context Rise of youth culture People lost part of their patriotic connection from the Wars. These were the “Lost Generation”. Youth emerged to have freedom of expression Youth emerged to break from traditions Youth emerged to change characterizations of youth

ERA CHANGES Moving from Realism to Modernism

REALISM VS MODERNISM Similarities: Both literary –isms share a focus on individuals and the psychology of the individual.

Similarities: Both focus on things that could actually happen. REALISM VS MODERNISM Similarities: Both focus on things that could actually happen.

Similarities: REALISM VS MODERNISM The language of the two literary periods is also the same. Both used the common language of the people, particularly that of the middle class.

REALISM VS MODERNISM Similarities: *Remember this is a case where one literary period bleeds into another. There are overlapping ideas.

REALISM VS MODERNISM B. Differences: Modernism was brought on by the two World Wars, as well as other wars and changes in society such as the Prohibition and the roaring twenties.

B. Differences: REALISM VS MODERNISM Society during the Modernism period wanted to create something distinctly theirs so as to again have a solid foundation amidst all the change. “REJECTION OF THE 19th CENTURY TRADITIONS”

MODERNISM B. DIFFERENCES: While Realism and Modernism were both very descriptive, Realism was more into a stating of facts and Modernism used more of an image approach.

MODERNISM B. DIFFERENCES: In modernism, the description of (and use of images in)the event was just important as the event itself and what was happening in the story.

MODERNISM B. DIFFERENCES: Also, Modernism often places its ordinary hero in extraordinary situations. There is more of a fantastical approach and imagery. Modernism uses stream-of-consciousness more often for the psychological reflection. Stream of Consciousness: Writing about a character’s thoughts as they are thinking them. This can look like fragments, incomplete ideas, ideas move quickly from one thought to the next. *Remember this is a case where one literary period bleeds into another.

MODERNISM B. DIFFERENCES: Modernism uses stream-of-consciousness more often for the psychological reflection. Stream of Consciousness: Writing about a character’s thoughts as they are thinking them. This can look like fragments, incomplete ideas, ideas move quickly from one thought to the next. *Remember this is a case where one literary period bleeds into another.

LITERARY COMPONENTS Writing style Some seriously weird literature produced roughly between the end of World War I and the beginning of World War II. 

Dominant mood: alienation/disconnection Genre/Style Dominant mood: alienation/disconnection

The search for meaning in a world without religion Genre/Style Dominant Themes: Questioning the reality of experience The search for meaning in a world without religion Critique of traditions and values Loss of meaning and hope

Genre/Style Writers seek to create a unique style. (So they experimented with form) Nonlinear plot (things do not go in sequential order) Irony and Satire are used often Stream of Consciousness style Allusions (“Shout out” to other works and authors) Complex language

Major writers Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961) 1. Writing style: concise, direct, spare, objective, precise, rhythmic F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940) 1. author of The Great Gatsby 2. wrote about life during the 1920’s; coined the term The Jazz Age

Major writers William Faulkner (1897-1962) 1. the most original writer of his time 2. primary subject was his heritage: Southern memory, reality, myth John Steinbeck (1902-1968) 1. famous for Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men 2. wrote about the U.S. during the Great Depression

Major poets Ezra Pound 1. Imagism (ordinary language, free verse, concentrated word pictures) T. S. Eliot 1. The Waste-Land (the failure of Western civilization, illustrated by WWI) 2. Ezra Pound & T.S. Eliot were the 2 most influential poets and critics of their era. They dictated the tone, direction, and subject matter for a generation of poets.

Major poets Robert Frost e. e. cummings Carl Sandburg 1. describes everyday Americans, positive tone, simple words, easy to understand, free verse

The harlem renaissance A black cultural movement that emerged in Harlem during the 20's; literature, music and art flourished (1915-1929)

The harlem renaissance Major Writers 1. Langston Hughes 2. Countee Cullen 3. Zora Neale Hurston 4. Jean Toomer 5. Claude McKay