Literary Movements Flashcards
What is the focus of Romanticism?
Emotion, nature, individualism
Romanticism celebrates the emotional side, defying logic and reason to let passion guide.
What is the time period of Romanticism?
Late 18th century to mid-19th century (roughly 1790-1850)
Romanticism emphasizes the beauty of nature and deep emotions.
Name a famous work of Romanticism.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
These works exemplify the themes of emotion and nature in Romantic literature.
What is the focus of Postmodernism?
Skepticism, irony, questioning truths
Postmodernism says, ‘Truth’s a blur, we question everything; we’re unsure.’
What is the time period of Postmodernism?
Mid-20th century to present (roughly 1945-Present)
This period is characterized by a questioning of established narratives.
Name a famous work of Postmodernism.
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, Beloved by Toni Morrison
These works illustrate the themes of reality and truth in Postmodern literature.
What is the focus of Neoclassicism?
Order, reason, classical ideals
Neoclassicism is form and grace, with reason as the guiding base.
What is the time period of Neoclassicism?
Late 17th century to early 19th century (roughly 1660-1800)
This period emphasizes the principles of ancient Greek and Roman literature.
Name a famous work of Neoclassicism.
The Rape of the Lock by Alexander Pope, Paradise Lost by John Milton
These works reflect the ideals of reason and order in Neoclassical literature.
What is the focus of Existentialism?
Freedom, choice, meaning in life
Existentialism asks, ‘What’s the point of life? It’s up to you to decide, despite all the strife.’
What is the time period of Existentialism?
Mid-20th century (roughly 1940-1960)
This period deals with questions of existence and personal meaning.
Name a famous work of Existentialism.
The Stranger by Albert Camus, Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett
These works highlight the themes of choice and meaning in Existential literature.
What does Gothic Literature focus on?
Dark, mysterious, supernatural elements, fear, death, and the grotesque
Gothic tales are eerie, full of dread, where mystery and fear are widely spread.
Name a famous work of Gothic Literature.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Dracula by Bram Stoker, The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe
These works exemplify the themes of fear and the supernatural in Gothic literature.
What is the focus of Realism?
Everyday life, social issues, and ordinary people
Realism’s no fantasy, it’s life as we see, with all its flaws and raw honesty.
Name a famous work of Realism.
Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert, Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
These works capture the essence of Realism by depicting life without embellishment.
What is the focus of Modernism?
Innovation, experimentation, and breaking traditional forms
Modernism experiments, breaks old trends, and redefines the world with no end.
Name a famous work of Modernism.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ulysses by James Joyce
These works explore themes of alienation and disillusionment in the modern world.
What is the focus of Naturalism?
Influence of environment, heredity, and instinct on human behavior
Nature’s grip is tight, our fate hard to fight, shaped by forces that steal our light.
Name a famous work of Naturalism.
The Call of the Wild by Jack London, Germinal by Émile Zola
These works illustrate how external forces shape human fate in Naturalism.
What is the focus of Transcendentalism?
Nature, individualism, and spirituality
Trust in yourself, nature’s the guide, where truth and spirit are deep inside.
Name a famous work of Transcendentalism.
Walden by Henry David Thoreau, Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson
These works emphasize the importance of individual intuition and nature.
What is the focus of Surrealism?
Combines dream-like, illogical, and fantastical elements with reality
In surrealist worlds, logic’s untrue, where dreams and reality twist and brew.
Name a famous work of Surrealism.
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
This work exemplifies the blending of dream and reality in Surrealist literature.
What is a vignette?
A brief, descriptive scene or moment that captures a feeling or atmosphere
A vignette’s a moment, short but sweet, a snapshot of life that’s hard to beat.
Name a famous example of a vignette.
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
This work uses vignettes to portray snapshots of life and character.
