Brief intro to Modernism for literature

1. Modernism
Reactions to a changing world

2. Modernism Basics
NOT a synonym for
“Contemporary”
Early 20th century
literary movement
“In love with the new”
Questions humanity’s
humanity
Reaction to WWI and
its widespread
destruction
Rebellion against
Realism
Industry and
technology: friend or
foe?
Reinvention of the
world
Breakdown of
traditional beliefs
Art: freedom or prison?

3. Social Change
Industrial Revolution provided new technology
which in turn provided new opportunities
Middle and lower classes gained power; upper
classes lost power
Communism: best idea ever, or global threat to
personal liberty?
WWI: massive slaughter, led people to question
the wisdom of world leadership and order

4. Breakdown of Traditional Beliefs
Traditional virtues like reason, order,
religion, obedience—questioned.
Darwin’s theory of evolution
Freud’s theories of the unconscious mind
Einstein’s theories of relativity, harnessing
the power of the atom
Freedom of thought or breakdown of
society as it had been known for
centuries?

5. The Modern Artist/Search for the
“New”
Total break from past forms, constant search for
new ideas
Liberation = alienation…
Feelings of hostility for “the masses” was shown
in the art they created
Banded together in “movements”
“New” = anything that challenged the public’s
expectations of art
Search for new forms led to fragmentation ,
producing many different forms and styles

6. Modernist Literature and Art
“Nude Descending a
Staircase” – Marcel
Duchamp
Where’s the nude?
Where’s the staircase?
This painting was wholly
controversial when first
exhibited in 1913—
people argued tirelessly
over whether or not it
truly was “art.”

7. “Fountain” / “Bicycle Wheel”–
Marcel Duchamp
“Readymades” : Art or Trash?

8. “The Treachery of Images” – Rene
Magritte
“This is not a pipe.”

9. “The Scream” – Edvard Munch
Originally titled “The
Scream of Nature”
Expression of angst—
German for “anxiety”
The pain and
confusion of mere
existence
Have you ever felt like
this?

10. 5 Characteristics
1. Experimentation: Modernist literature employed a number of different
experimental writing techniques that broke the conventional rules of storytelling.
Some of those techniques include blended imagery and themes, absurdism, nonlinear
narratives, and stream of consciousness—which is a free flowing inner monologue.
2. Individualism: Modernist literature typically focuses on the individual, rather than
society as a whole. Stories follow characters as they adapt to a changing world, often
dealing with difficult circumstances and challenges.
3. Multiple perspectives: Many modernist writers wrote in the first person
perspective with multiple characters to emphasize the subjectivity of each character,
and add depth to the story by presenting a variety of viewpoints.
4. Free verse: Many modernist poets rejected the traditional structure of poetry and
opted for free verse, which lacks a consistent rhyme scheme, metrical pattern, or
musical form.
5. Literary devices: Many modernist writers rely on literary devices like symbolism
and imagery to help the reader understand the writing, and to create a stronger
connection between the text and the reader.

11. Reading Strategies – Modern
Literature
Visualize. Modernists rely heavily on imagery.
Try to notice what is Modern and “new” in the
writing. What makes it original and distinctive?
Be alert to anything that challenges your
expectations, and remember, the Modern artist’s
main goal is to be surprising.
Be patient. Patience will be rewarded—
sometimes only after repeat readings.
Question the writer’s view of the world: is it
optimistic or pessimistic?