This document provides an overview of the general characteristics of modernism. It discusses how modernism marked a break from traditional views of the world. Literature in this period had no connection to history and featured avant-garde styles. Works reflected themes of spiritual degradation, the rise of mass communication, and a focus on inner strength and reality rather than external reality. The impacts of World Wars and new socio-economic conditions were also reflected. Experimentation was a key feature of modernist literature.

1. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF MODERN
AGE
Prepared by- Urvi Dave
Course- M.A.
Semester- 3
Enrolment Number- 14101009
Email id- dave.urvi71@gmail.com
Batch Year- 2014-16
Paper no- 9
Paper Name- Modernist Literature
Submitted to- Smt. S B Gardi
Department of English
Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar
University

2. MODERNISM
Period marked by sudden and unexpected breaks with
traditional ways of viewing andinteracting with the world.
Literature started shortly after the beginning ofthe 20th
century.
It had no connection with history.
Avant- Garde

3.  Insteadof progress and growth, they see decay and growing
alienationof the individual.
Eg- TheWasteland by T S Eliot shows spiritual degradation.
 Riseof mass communication
Celebration of innerstrength
This age was totallyopposite of Victorian age. Moderns
believedin rational thinking.

4. Focus shiftingfrom externalrealityto the inner reality
of the human mind
Language
Anti- war literatureand Absurd theatre was there.

5. VICTORIAN ART MODERN ART

6. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
 Anxiety and Interrogation
Art for Life’s Sake
Growing interestin the poor classandthe working class
Impact of socio-economicconditionon literature
Psychology andliterature
 Impact of the two World Wars
Symbolism, Formalism,Individuality
Experimentationwas one of the finest qualities
Science fiction

7. Victorian Art Modern Art

8. WAR POETRY
Mostly soldiers wrote about their war
experiences.Many civilians wrote too.
It was related to WorldWar I and II.
Three mainpoets- Brooke,Owen and Sassoon.
T S EliotinTheWastelandspeaks of ugly and
brokensociety of Western world.