1. Modernism

2. Difference between Realism and Modernism
Absolute, tangible
People are a product of their upbringing, there’s hope but there’s suffering too. Workers are admirable.
MODERNISM
Abstract, grey areas
People make their own meaning in the world. Psychology and the subconscious, emphasis on the mind more than the physical.

3. Value Differences in the Modern World
Pre-Modern World
Modern World (Early 20th Century)
Ordered
Chaotic
Meaningful
Futile
Optimistic
Pessimistic
Stable
Fluctuating
Faith
Loss of faith
Morality/Values
Collapse of Morality/Values
Clear Sense of Identity
Confused Sense of Identity and Place in the World

4. Hardships Result of Political Turmoil Fascism The Great Depression
The separation and persecution or denial of equality to a certain group based on race, creed, or origin
The Great Depression
The stock market crash of 1929 makes Americans lose faith.
Communism
Control of the means of production should rest in the hands of the laborers. Challenges free enterprise.
Harlem Renaissance (1920s)
African-American poets took their hardships and culture and created unique rhythmic poetry among other artforms.

5. Scientific Revolution
Quantum theory
Explains the nature of matter and energy on the atomic and subatomic level
Principle of Uncertainty
In quantum mechanics: increasing the accuracy of measurement of one observable quantity increases the uncertainty with which another may be known
Many-worlds (multi-verse) theory
As soon as the potential exists for any object to be in any state, the universe of the object transmutes into a series of parallel universes
Copenhagen interpretation: nothing exists until it is measured:
Schrödinger's cat (dead and alive)

6. Schrödinger's cat

7. Characteristics of Modern Art
All move into some state of abstraction, symbolizing the break down of society and the emphasis on the importance of the subconscious.
Cubism
Dadaism
Surrealism

8. Forces Behind Modernism
The sense that our culture has no center, no values, there’s nothing but chaos and uncertainty.
Paradigm shift
from the closed, finite, measurable, cause-and-effect universe of the 19th century to an open, relativistic, changing, strange universe;

9. Characteristics of Modern Literature
Literature Exhibits Perspectivism
Meaning comes from the individual’s perspective and is thus personalized;
A single story might be told from the perspective of several different people, with the assumption that the “truth” is somewhere in the middle
Inner psychological reality or “interiority” is represented
Stream of consciousness—portraying the character’s inner monologue
Perception of language changes:
Language is “thick” with multiple meanings and varied connotative forces.

10. Characteristics of Modern Poetry
Emphasis on the Experimental
Art for art’s sake
Organized non-sequentially
Ambiguous endings—open endings which are seen as more representative of reality.
The Symbolists
Focused on creating fresh, original symbols in their poetry
The Imagists
Strong imagery alone can carry a poem’s emotion and message. Motivated some of the greatest 20th century poetry –Ezra Pound, T. S. Eliot, etc.