Modernism, Postmodernism and the short story

Modernism A style or movement in the arts that aims to depart significantly from classical and traditional forms. Revolt against the industrial revolution Challenged realism Inspired by the events of WW1

Postmodernism a late 20th-century style and concept in the arts, architecture, and criticism, which represents an extension of modernism and is characterized by the self-conscious use of earlier styles and conventions, a mixing of different artistic styles and media, and a general distrust of theories.

Postmodernism Postmodern literature is literature characterized by reliance on narrative techniques such as fragmentation, paradox, and the unreliable narrator; and often is (though not exclusively) defined as a style or a trend which emerged in the post–World War II era.

Fragmentation – in plot, characters, theme, images, and overall storyline. Thus, for instance, many modernist works are not in the typical linear sequence. Loss is a huge theme in modernist works. The “truth” is questionable, as a common theme, and thus, you cannot always trust the narrator to tell the truth, whereas in traditional literature it is the narrator’s job to make the reader understand what’s going on. Also, there may be more than one narrator, showing the diversity of truth.

The destruction of the family unit. Characters may be given little or no physical description, and one or more characters is usually an "outcast.“ Authority figures are often untrustworthy, reflecting the question of truth. Movement away from religion.

The reversal of traditional roles (Example: women doing something typically “male” and/or vice versa. Or the changing of customary racial roles). Ambiguous ending; such works often leave a lot of questions with the reader; they don’t tie everything up for you. Often setting is more than just the setting (i.e. more meaning to it than just where the story takes place), or, maybe there is no setting at all.

The use of improper grammar to reflect dialect More sexuality and the use of intertextuality are often found. More use of the first person narrative, reflecting the lack of universal truth, i.e. there are only individual truths.

Nobody understands the apostrophe