MODERNISMMODERNISM

Alienation of the IndividualAlienation of the Individual

Things were changing in the world.Things were changing in the world. After WWI ended in 1918, Europe was After WWI ended in 1918, Europe was

destroyed. The US was obviously affected; the destroyed. The US was obviously affected; the country was caught up in uncertainty. What was country was caught up in uncertainty. What was going to happen next?going to happen next?

US economy was booming. US economy was booming. Technology, jobs, new ways to party. Technology, jobs, new ways to party. Roaring Twenties (HR)—cars were more Roaring Twenties (HR)—cars were more

popular, people going more places. Movies popular, people going more places. Movies became popular, political corruption was became popular, political corruption was rampant, gangsters flourished because of illegal rampant, gangsters flourished because of illegal sale of alcohol. sale of alcohol.

People became less tolerant of foreigners and People became less tolerant of foreigners and political dissent (non-democratic)political dissent (non-democratic)

Literary MovementLiterary Movement As always, what happens in the world affects As always, what happens in the world affects

literature. Two major characteristics of Modernist literature. Two major characteristics of Modernist literature. literature. (1)Writers felt that the individual was being (1)Writers felt that the individual was being

isolated and threatened by mass society isolated and threatened by mass society (outcast by the larger group). (outcast by the larger group). Writers of the Writers of the time could see the materialism and prosperity time could see the materialism and prosperity of the age crowding out the human spirit. of the age crowding out the human spirit.

Ezra Pound inspired writers with the rallying Ezra Pound inspired writers with the rallying cry, “Make it new!”.cry, “Make it new!”.

Hemingway, Richard Wright, T.S. Eliot, Robert Hemingway, Richard Wright, T.S. Eliot, Robert Frost, Picasso, Matisse, Duchamp, etc.Frost, Picasso, Matisse, Duchamp, etc.

Literary MovementLiterary Movement (2) Experimentation was a second (2) Experimentation was a second

characteristic of Modernismcharacteristic of Modernism Stream-of-consciousness became a form of Stream-of-consciousness became a form of

fictional techniquefictional technique The inner thoughts of characters, the tendency of The inner thoughts of characters, the tendency of

thoughts to jump from one thing to another, were thoughts to jump from one thing to another, were recorded. recorded.

Modernists are most notable for what they leave Modernists are most notable for what they leave out of their writing than for what they leave inout of their writing than for what they leave in

reader left alone to decipher what is going on in a reader left alone to decipher what is going on in a story or a poem and what a character is feeling or story or a poem and what a character is feeling or thinking. thinking.

Puts more demands on the reader to truly Puts more demands on the reader to truly understand the characterunderstand the character

Rebirth of American Literature and Rebirth of American Literature and ArtArt

Harlem RenaissanceHarlem Renaissance Took place from circa 1920-1935Took place from circa 1920-1935 KKK membership was peaking (at 4 million nationwide)KKK membership was peaking (at 4 million nationwide) WWI had impacted the globeWWI had impacted the globe

Because of shortage of European immigrant workers, Because of shortage of European immigrant workers, jobs were becoming available in cities and harbors of jobs were becoming available in cities and harbors of urban areasurban areas

Flood of African Americans poured in from the South to Flood of African Americans poured in from the South to take these jobs; were also fleeing racial violence, take these jobs; were also fleeing racial violence, poverty.poverty.

Large plots of land were bought up by wealthy blacks in Large plots of land were bought up by wealthy blacks in NY Harlem. This caused an exodus of white folks, so NY Harlem. This caused an exodus of white folks, so real estate got cheap very quick.real estate got cheap very quick.

Rebirth, Cont’dRebirth, Cont’d Birth of jazz sweeping the nation; Harlem had Birth of jazz sweeping the nation; Harlem had

become the hot spot for both blacks and become the hot spot for both blacks and whites. Night clubs like the Cotton Club were whites. Night clubs like the Cotton Club were hugely successful. Duke Ellington, Louis hugely successful. Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, etc. were busy Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, etc. were busy creating music. Called the time of the “New creating music. Called the time of the “New Negro” Negro”

Era produced a huge amount of literature, Era produced a huge amount of literature, mainly African-American. Were finally mainly African-American. Were finally developing a pride in their race and asserting developing a pride in their race and asserting its contributions to American culture. Also its contributions to American culture. Also inspired others. inspired others.

Cont’dCont’dHelped to establish strong African-American Helped to establish strong African-American

culture and make it known and celebrated. culture and make it known and celebrated. Modern results: Country music, Rap, Modern results: Country music, Rap,

Rhythm and Blues, etc. Rhythm and Blues, etc. Great Depression of the 1930’s brought end to Great Depression of the 1930’s brought end to

HR.HR.Many of writers had to find work to support Many of writers had to find work to support

themselves, but what they did before sewed themselves, but what they did before sewed seeds that continue to grow.seeds that continue to grow.

Modernism Top 5Modernism Top 5Your voice has lost innocence, optimism,

and you are more aware of limitationsYour idealism has turned to cynicismYou have begun to question the country’s

tradition and authorityAchieving the American dream is unlikelyYou have a strong desire to “make it new”