1. Modernism

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

3. 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Modernists rebelled against the ninetieth century traditions because they were “outdated”.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.

4. 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.

5. - 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.

6. 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.

7. 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

8. ERA CHANGES Moving from Realism to Modernism

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

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

11. 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.

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

13. 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.

14. 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”

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

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

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

21. 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

22. 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

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

24. 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 ( )
1. famous for Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men
2. wrote about the U.S. during the Great Depression

25. 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.

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

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

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