1. MODERN POSTMODERN
Modernists take the view that
language is transparent
where there is one to one
word meaning – the signifier
and the signified
Postmodernists take the view
that language is quite
arbitrary and messy with more
than one possible meaning to
it
Modernist Feminism: Women
are oppressed by patriarchy
and can use Reason to
achieve both independence
and regain their “authentic
selv es”
Postmodern Feminism: The
categories male/female,
masculine/feminine are
themselves culturally
constructed and/or Ideology.
Gender roles are culturally
relative in all cultures and
contexts
Modernists believe that there
is a possibility for progression
Postmodernists believe that
progress is not possible
Modernist thinking believes in
learning from past
experiences and trusts the
texts that narrate the past
postmodernist thinking defies
any truth in the text narrating
the past and renders it of no
use in the present times
Modernists have faith in
depth and believe that we
should infer and go deeper
into the meaning of
something
Postmodernists believe that
we should look at the
superficial meaning of
something
Modernist approach is
theoretical, objective and
analytical
Postmodernist approach is
extremely subjective
Modernism attempts to
construct a coherent world-view
Postmodernism attempts to
remove the difference
between high and low
