The ModernsThe Moderns1900-19501900-1950

WWI 1914-1918: A time

of…

WWI 1914-1918: A time

of… Great change Increased cynicism Questioning of authority Loss of innocence Disillusionment with tradition

Great change Increased cynicism Questioning of authority Loss of innocence Disillusionment with tradition

The American Dream: 3 Central Ideas

The American Dream: 3 Central Ideas

1. America seen as a “new Eden”2. Optimism, opportunity, and

abundance3. Ultimate triumph of the individual

1. America seen as a “new Eden”2. Optimism, opportunity, and

abundance3. Ultimate triumph of the individual

Crack in the WorldCrack in the World

WWI and economic crash--damaged ideals of American dream

American literature shifting away from New England

New intellectual trends: Marxism, psychoanalysis (Freud)

WWI and economic crash--damaged ideals of American dream

American literature shifting away from New England

New intellectual trends: Marxism, psychoanalysis (Freud)

Shifts in LiteratureShifts in Literature

Stream of consciousness writing Examination of subconscious mind Questioning of free will

Stream of consciousness writing Examination of subconscious mind Questioning of free will

The Jazz Age: Here and Abroad

The Jazz Age: Here and Abroad

1919: prohibition Bootleggers and the speakeasy Flappers, jazz, gangsters “Roaring Twenties” Fitzgerald as

spokesman 1920 women right to vote

1919: prohibition Bootleggers and the speakeasy Flappers, jazz, gangsters “Roaring Twenties” Fitzgerald as

spokesman 1920 women right to vote

ExpatriatesExpatriates

Many writers moving abroad: cheaper, more exotic, more open

Many writers moving abroad: cheaper, more exotic, more open

Grace Under PressureGrace Under Pressure

New kind of American hero Ernest Hemingway: influenced

literary styles--plain, bare bones of truth and new hero

Hemingway hero: tough, courageous, competitor, shows grace under pressure--and, disillusioned

New kind of American hero Ernest Hemingway: influenced

literary styles--plain, bare bones of truth and new hero

Hemingway hero: tough, courageous, competitor, shows grace under pressure--and, disillusioned

Modernist PoetryModernist Poetry

Am.poetry went into decline after Whitman and Dickinson died.

After 1910, poets began to explore artistic life of Europe.

Influenced by artists like Matisse and Picasso--exploring new ways to rep. reality

Am.poetry went into decline after Whitman and Dickinson died.

After 1910, poets began to explore artistic life of Europe.

Influenced by artists like Matisse and Picasso--exploring new ways to rep. reality

SymbolismSymbolism

Taking world of “appearances” and violently rearranging to create more truthful representation

Taking world of “appearances” and violently rearranging to create more truthful representation

SymbolismSymbolism

Wanting to get rid of national, religious, and psych.symbols--thought they were overused

Instead, wanted to focus on the emotional effects that objects can suggest

Wanting to get rid of national, religious, and psych.symbols--thought they were overused

Instead, wanted to focus on the emotional effects that objects can suggest

ImagismImagism

Concentration on the pure image to carry the poem’s emotion

Desire to get rid of artificial, pretty poetry in exchange for the “raw power” of the image

Concentration on the pure image to carry the poem’s emotion

Desire to get rid of artificial, pretty poetry in exchange for the “raw power” of the image

Poetry in New England and Midwest

Poetry in New England and Midwest

Some rejected “modernist” trends Some stayed here Plain, American speech--regional American heartland, rougher

stanzas, looser lines (ie, Spoon River Anthology)

Some rejected “modernist” trends Some stayed here Plain, American speech--regional American heartland, rougher

stanzas, looser lines (ie, Spoon River Anthology)

Harlem RenaissanceHarlem Renaissance

African American culture found expression in poetry

Focus on unique contributions of African Americans

Based in rhythms of jazz and spirituals

Lyrics known as the blues; diction based on street talk

African American culture found expression in poetry

Focus on unique contributions of African Americans

Based in rhythms of jazz and spirituals

Lyrics known as the blues; diction based on street talk

Poetic Voices of West and South

Poetic Voices of West and South

Poetry of the West became the inspiration of the later “beat poets”--some conventional and some experimentation

Voice of the South subtle, graceful, and polished

Poetry of the West became the inspiration of the later “beat poets”--some conventional and some experimentation

Voice of the South subtle, graceful, and polished

American Dream: RevisedAmerican Dream: Revised

Moderns not “optimistic” like Emerson, but still saw importance of self-reliance and America as new Eden

Ultimately experimenting boldly with style and subject matter

Seeking answers to--who are we? Where are we going? What is our purpose?

Moderns not “optimistic” like Emerson, but still saw importance of self-reliance and America as new Eden

Ultimately experimenting boldly with style and subject matter

Seeking answers to--who are we? Where are we going? What is our purpose?