Eliot's and Ezra Pound's bodies of work are a must-read. This new technique allowed writers to craft novels that read like the protagonist's stream of consciousness.Īmong authors, Virginia Woolf and James Joyce are the best examples of this characteristic in action. This device is meant to reflect how the characters think, even though it may be inconsistent, chaotic, or illogical. Combined with individualism as another core characteristic, writers developed a narrative device called ‘stream of consciousness.’ Modernism in literature also led to experiments with prose. Modernist poets best exemplify it: they revolted against the accepted rules of rhyme and rhythm, thus inventing free verse (vers libre) poetry. Literary modernism rejected many of the established writing norms, paving the way for experimentation with the form. You can find great examples of the Madman type of unreliable narrator in Franz Kafka's works. The fascination with subjective reality also led to the development of unreliable narrators in fiction. You can find compelling examples of individualism in the works of Ernest Hemingway. Presented with obstacles, the protagonist sometimes perseveres – but not always. So, modernism is focused on describing the subjective reality of one person rather than societal changes or historical events on an impersonal scale.Ī typical protagonist in modernist literature is just trying to survive and adapt to the changing world. It postulates that an individual's experiences, opinions, and emotions are more fascinating than the events in a society as a whole. Individualism is one of the key elements of modernism. Cummings are among the prominent American modernists. Apart from the Industrial Revolution, it was influenced by Prohibition and the Great Depression and fueled by a sense of disillusionment and loss. The movement first developed in American literature in the early 20th century modernism. It was also heavily influenced by the horrors of World War I: it shattered the preconceived notions about society for many modernists. What about the history behind the modernism literary movement? Started by the Industrial Revolution and fueled by urbanization, the movement originated in Europe, with Virginia Woolf, Franz Kafka, and Robert Musil as early modernists. Its other characteristics include symbolism and formalism. The movement's main characteristics are individualism, experimentation, and absurdity. But its spirit is best reflected in a motto coined by Ezra Pound: ‘Make it new.’ Modernism was a movement not just in literature but also in arts, philosophy, and cinema.Īs for the modernism in literature definition, the same dictionary describes it as a conscious break from the past and a search for new ways of expressing oneself. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the term 'modernism' as a practice characteristic of modern times and seeking to find original means of expressing oneself. You'll find the answers to all of these questions – and more – below! What is Modernism in LiteratureĪs any physic helper would advise you to approach a subject, let's start with one crucial question: ‘What is modernism?’ What is modernism in literature? What are the key characteristics that set it apart from other literary movements? What modernism in literature examples reflect the movement's qualities the best? And who can represent modernism in American literature? Today, let's take a deep dive into modernist work. In their opinion, the old ways of writing simply couldn't reflect the rapid social change and a new generation born out of it. Instead, they sought new ways to convey ideas and new forms of expressing themselves. They refused to conform to the rules any longer. Modernism in literature is the act of rebellion against the norms on the writers' part. Out of this cultural shift, one of the most compelling literary movements was born: modernism. They also made writers reconsider their attitudes toward the established norms of the craft. But new technologies didn't only change the ways of manufacturing. The Industrial Revolution – and the rapid industrialization that followed it – marked the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Modernism in Literature: Definition, Characteristics, Examples, and More
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