Postmodern Literature 1939 – Present

Contemporary Period - Revolutionary Movements in Art!  During the second half of the twentieth century, the US emerged victorious from two wars, one hot and one cold. In the final decades of the century the United States was the undisputed military and economic leader of the world. American culture seemed unwilling to identify exclusively with any group or class – instead it constantly reinvented itself and emphasized cultural and ethnic inclusion.

Social and Political Influences  World War II  The Cold War  Social Change and Counterculture Movements  The Technological Revolution

WWII  World War II ends in Result: 1950’s America creates a culture marked by conformity, vigorous anti-Communism sentiment, and the BABY BOOM!

The Cold War  The Soviet Union becomes a nuclear power in 1949, touching off a dangerous arms race with U.S. Result: The Cold War lasts until 1991 when M. Gorbachev presides over dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Social Change – Fight for Equality  The 1960s and 70s were a hot bed of social and political change. The Civil Rights movement, the protesting of the Vietnam War and the Women’s Lib. faction proved that America could be better. Counterculture movements sprang up across the U.S. demanding change through Grass Roots organizations.

I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked, dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn looking for an angry fix, angelheaded hipsters burning for the ancient heavenly connection to the starry dynamo in the machinery of night. ~Allen Ginsberg

The Technological Revolution  The 1980s and 90s saw dramatic, world changing breakthroughs in technology. Result: A global community.

Now Remember…  Art imitates life.  People create. People respond to their environments. Art is a reflection of the social, political, and cultural movements surrounding us.

Characteristics of Contemporary Art and Literature  1) Allows for multiple meanings and multiple worlds  2) Structures works in nontraditional forms  3) Comments on itself  4) Can be intensely personal  5) Features cultural diversity  6) Blends fiction and nonfiction  7) Uses the past fearlessly – exposes our mistakes, flaws, imperfections

Apply these elements to whatever you read  Read the poem, “The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner” by Randall Jarrell  Answer the questions and analyze it in terms of our characteristics of Postmodernism