Use for American Lit

1. The Modernist Period
in the U.S.
Its Effect on America’s
Creative Spirit

2. What Was Occurring in the U.S.?
A greater influence of machines
rather than farm work.
Faster travel
Increased wealth of families
Increased need to purchase things
New discoveries & inventions
The U.S. was ready for Modernism!

3. What Is Modernism?
The Modernists Believed . . .
that people must rely on themselves to create meaning in
the world.
that there was a dark side to progress because it was
destroying traditional ways of life, bringing pollution to
the air, and creating dirt and noise in the cities.
that Western civilization was headed for destruction.
(World War I & II)
culture and tradition were holding people from progress.
Break away from “what has always been”.

4. What Is Modernism?
The Modernists Believed . . .
Traditional forms of writing, music, art needed to be
changed. Lots of experimentation with traditional forms.
Symbolism was an important part of the arts. Multiple
meanings for the audience.
The arts should be very direct and to the point.
That the order of time and events was not important.
Story events did not have to be in chronological order!
That the “new” New York of skyscrapers, bridges, and
bustling crowds was a major topic for art & writing.

5. What Event Got Modernism Rolling
in the U.S.?
The 1913 Armory Show in New York
City. This was an art show.
Marcel Duchamp, a French artist,
presented his painting called “Nude
Descending a Staircase” which
caused a scandal at the show.
This painting did not use established
rules or forms. Duchamp broke them
all!
– Go to the next page and take a look at this
“scandalous” painting!

6. “Nude Descending a Staircase”
By Marcel Duchamp 1912

7. Question #1 - 20 points
Why do you think DuChamp’s
“Nude Descending a Staircase”
painting created such a scandal
(uproar) with people of that time?
Write your answer in the form of a paragraph (4-5
sentences). Be sure to use what you know about
modernism to support your ideas. Turn in to Ms.
De Frey when you are done.

8. Topics of Modernist Works
The place of women in society
The urban (city) experience.
Regionalism (celebration of a part of
the country) and the people of
these regions
Alienation – the feeling of “not
belonging”
Learning about one’s inner life (or
self-awareness)

9. Modernists Artists: A Collection

10. Georgia O’Keefe
Painting #1 Painting #2

11. Stuart Davis
“New York Waterfront”
Painting #3

12. “Welcome to
Our City”
Max Weber
Picture #4

13. “Lighthouse”
Marsden Hartley
Picture #5

14. A Modernist Activity . . . (25 pts)
Take a second look at the five
modernist paintings.
Choose the painting you like the
most, and notice the name of the
artist.
Google the artist and write down 10
pieces of information about this
artist. Find information that is
interesting. Turn this in to Ms. de
Frey when done.