Modernism and postmodern

Question 1

What do they react against?

Answer 1

• Modernism reacts against realism!
• Post modernism reacts agains modernism!

Question 2

Modernist literature influences?

Answer 2

• Industrial revolution and growth of cities
• Increased consumerism
• New technologies and inventions
• Developments in science and psychology

Question 3

Characteristics of modernism?

Answer 3

• Themes are about how modern life alienated the individual.
• Language is not fixed, but complex and nuanced.
• Emphasis on innovation. Break old patterns to see things in a fresh, new way.
• Perspectivism: switching narrators and using many voices
• Focus on psychological reality
• Use of symbols and allusions
• Open or ambiguous endings

Question 4

Context in which Modernism happened?

Answer 4

• It was set in motion through a series of cultural shocks. First great one was World War One.

Question 5

The lost generation?

Answer 5

• In the wake of first world war, several American artists chose to live abroad as they pursued their creative impulses (like Hemingway)
• The term refers to the spiritual and existential hangover left by 4 year of destructive warfare.
• The artists of the Lost Genreation struggled to fin some meaning in the world in the wake of chaos.

Question 6

How does modernism vs postmodernism see the world?

Answer 6

• Modernism: see world as composed of 1 universal truth; how can I interpret this world which I am part?
• Post modernism: see world as composed of multiple, historicized truths; which world am I in?

Question 7

Distance between artist and work?

Answer 7

• Modernism: Artistic distance between artist and his work; I is universal, not personal.
• Post-modernism: much more intimate nature, I often equals as writer

Question 7

Use of allusions?

Answer 7

• Modernism: rely on classical and literary allusions to help convey universal truth.
• Postmodernism: avoid excess of allusions, but if use of them: usually personal or pop culture related.

Question 8

Characteristics of post-modernism?

Answer 8

• Is structured with non-traditional forms
• Blends and overlaps fiction and non-fiction
• Features cultural diversity
• Use a mixture of earlier styles