This document discusses the key characteristics of modernist literature compared to Victorian literature. It notes that modernist literature, which emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, focused more on individualism and challenged social norms. It featured absurdist elements reflecting the senselessness of war. Writers used symbolism innovatively and explored deeper realities. Overall, modernist works represented a radical break from Victorian literature in form and content, focusing on the future rather than the past.

1. TOPIC:- CHARACTERISTICS OF
MODERNIST LITERATURE.
PAPER:-9
PG REG. NO :- 2069108420190040
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EMAIL:- MITALBA1998@GMAIL.COM
PREPARD BY RAYJADA MITALBA J. SUBMITTED TO
SMT. S.B.GARDI DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH,
MAHARAJA KRUSHNKUMARSINHJI BHAVNAGAR
UNIVERSITY.

2. Victorian period
• Victorian time was
characterized by the
industrial revolution,
high ethical Levels
and the focus on
Middle Class.
Modern period
• Modernism would
become and the main
focus of the writings
was the individual and
less evaluations of the
society .

3. CONTINUE...
• Victorians and their
literature were
concerned about the
culture in which they
already were.
• During the Victorian
era there was a great
sense of nationalism.
• Many Britain were
pround of its nation.
• Modernists focused
towards the future
and different ideas.
• During the
Modernist era, the
feelings of
nationalism faded
away.
• In many modernist
literates questioned
government and

4. CONTINUE...
• Victorian era in
famous novel
written for
example :- Jane
Austen’s “Pride
and Prejudice”.
Modern are unlike
the Victorian era
and trying new
things and
individualism
written.

5. WHAT IS MODERNIST LITERATURE ?
Definition:-
“ Modernist literature or literary
Medernism is come in late 19th and early
20th century. Mainly in Europe and North
America modernism in the arts, a radical
break with the past and concurrent
search for new forms of expression.”

6. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MODERNIST
LITERATURE
1. Individualism:-
• In modernist literature the
individual is more interesting than
society.
• Writers presented the world or
society as a challenge to the
integrity of their characters.
• For example ...

7. CONTINUE.......
• Virginia Woolf’s To
The Lighthouse in
character Lily
Briscoel a young
woman .
Mrs.Ramsay wants
Lily to marry William
Bankes but Lily
refuse and live

8. 2. ABSURDITY:-
The carnage of Two World Wars
profoundly affected writers of the period.
For many writers the World was
becoming a more Absurd place every
day.
Absurdity see in Samuel Beckett’s and
Harold Pinter two write’s plays.
For example......

9. CONTINUE.......
The play ‘Waiting for
Godot” by Samuel
Beckett portrays two
aimless characters in a
world. The Absurdity of
the situation of the
characters arises from
their hope for a
meaningful life.

10. CONTINUE.....
Ianguage with in
the Absurdity
Theater often
transcended its
base meaning as in
‘The Brithday
Party’, nothing is
as it seems and no
one Speaks the
whole truth, Also,

11. 3. SYMBOLISM:-
Symbolism was not a new concept in
literature, but the Modernists
particular use of symbols was an
innovation.
For example....
Many writers use in symbolism like
Virginia Woolf’s, Samuel Beckett’s,
Harold Pinter etc..

12. CONTINUE... In ‘To The Lighthouse’
Virginia use a symbol is
‘Window. It is the very symbol
of imperfection of our
knowledge and riddle of
human mind .
Mrs Ramsay experience such
moments of revelation and
integration at watching the
window. And other symbol is
lighthouse, printing

13. CONTINUE....
Waiting for Godo
in Samuel Becket
use of symbol Ha
, many character
has A hatS . The
hats represent th
identity and
personality of
each of the

14. CONTINUE.....
Other characteristics:-
Modernist writers were interested in
deeper reality .
Modernist work in see the influence by
World Wor.
Modernist writer care little for nature

15. CLOUNCLUSION:-
Modernist writer broken free of
Old forms and teachiques.
Modernist do not like Victorian .
Modernist try to write something
different and new.