1. Modernism in American Literature 1914 -1945
Harlem Renaissance
Post Modernism

2. MODERNISM
A literary movement that reflected disillusionment with the American Dream and characterized by its experimentation with style and form

3. MODERNISM THE AMERICAN DREAM
America new Eden, “promised land” of unlimited resources. IDEALISM
Birthright to endless opportunities & expectation of things continually getting better. OPTIMISM
All things possible for independent, self reliant INDIVIDUALISM who trust in his own powers and potentials

4. Traits of Modernism
Bold experimentation in style & form reflecting the fragmentation of society
Rejection of traditional themes & subjects
Sense of disillusionment & loss of faith in the American Dream
Rejection of ideal of a hero
Interest in the inner workings of the human mind, expressed through new writing techniques such as stream of consciousness

5. Stream of Consciousness
Abandoned the usual format of writing following chronology, or time order. Instead it was meant to imitate moment-by-moment flow of a character’s perceptions or memories.

6. The New Hero
A modern hero is a “man of action”, a warrior, and a tough competitor
He has a code of honor, courage, and endurance
Shows “grace under pressure”
Thoroughly disillusioned with life

7. MODERNISM effects of WORLD WAR I
turning point in American life
Marked the loss of innocence
Created a strong disillusionment with tradition (especially authors) & the idea of the American Dream

8. Rejection of Traditional Beliefs:
Prohibition, rather than foster traditional values, ushered in an age of bootleggers, speakeasies, cocktails, flappers, jazz music, and gangsters.
Women’s liberation was huge during this period, ushering in women’s right to vote.

9. Harlem Renaissance
African Americans contribution to American Literature
Characterized by ghetto speech and rhythms of jazz and blues in their works

10. Harlem Renaissance
African American culture found expression in poetry in two different ways:
One was lyric poetry, easily accepted by white readers.
The other way was through lyric poetry expressed as jazz music.
This explosion of poetic expression is known as the Harlem Renaissance