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Modernism

Modernism. 1914-1939. Gabby Perna Caroline Pinkerton Maxim George. Basics of Modernism. Human had the power to reshape their environment Progressive and optimistic Rejection of 19 th century traditions Chronological development was upset Juxtaposition

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Modernism

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  1. Modernism 1914-1939 Gabby Perna Caroline Pinkerton Maxim George

  2. Basics of Modernism Human had the power to reshape their environment Progressive and optimistic Rejection of 19th century traditions Chronological development was upset Juxtaposition Modernists believe the world is created in the act of perceiving it Modernists do not subscribe to absolute truth.

  3. Some more basics • No connection with history or institutions. • Life is unordered • Modernists concern themselves with the sub-conscious • World War 1 left spiritual scars in war novels • Post Dramatic Stress Disorder-(PDSD) • Wanted to startle and alienate the audiences • Bizarre and unpredictable effects • Rejection of intelligible plots of characterization

  4. Sigmund Freud (Modernist View) • Viewed the unconscious mind as full of primal impulses • Says that sexual desire is the primary motivational energy of human life • Self imposed restrictions • Remember the id, ego and super ego • The Id acts as according to the pleasure principal • The Ego acts according to the reality principal • The Super-ego aims for perfection. It controls the sense of right and wrong and guilt.

  5. The Iceberg MetaphorFreud’s notion about the human psyche

  6. Topics/Themes seen in Modernist Literature • Racial relationships (Battle Royal) • Gender roles (All novels/plays in Modernism) • Sexuality (Connie-Where are you going/been) • Prejudice of the times (Battle Royal, Raisin, Eye watching God) • Madness of the human being (Blanche/Yellow Wallpaper Lady) • Psychological disorders • Intertextuality (East of Eden) • Breakdown of social norms • Alienation (Push the bully) • Objection to traditional thoughts and moralities

  7. Novels/Plays A Streetcar Named Desire- Tennessee Williams A Raisin in the Sun- Lorraine Hansberry Their Eyes Were Watching God- Zora Neale Hurston East of Eden- John Steinbeck The Great Gatsby- F. Scott Fitzgerald

  8. Short Stories The Man who was Almost a Man-Richard Wright He-Katherine Anne Porter The Lottery-Shirley Jackson Where are you Going, Where have you been- Joyce Carol Oates The Life you Save May be Your Own- Flannery O’Connor Yellow Wallpaper-Charlotte Perkins Gilman Strength of God-Sherwood Anderson Battle Royal-Ralph Ellison Walking Out-David Quamman A Poetics for Bullies -Stanley Elkin

  9. Stresses of Modernism Freedom of expression Rejection of tradition Experimentation Primitivism Radicalism Optimism

  10. Modernist Art Piet Mondrian Composition II in Red, Blue and Yellow (1930) Composition 10 (1939)

  11. Quotes About Connie(shows sexuality) “She spent three hours with him, at the restaurant where they ate hamburgers and drank Cokes in wax cups that were always sweating, and then down an alley a mile or so away” (Where are you Going, Where Have you Been?- Joyce Carol Oates) “Live with your head in the lion's mouth. I want you to overcome 'em with yeses, undermine 'em with grins, agree 'em to death and destruction, let 'emswoller you till they vomit or bust wide open.” (Battle Royale- showing raicism) Well, you had better speak more slowly so we can understand. We mean to do right by you, but you've got to know your place at all times. All right, now, go on with your speech.“ (Battle Royale-prejudice) Blanche: “Whoever you are- I always had strong dependence on the kindness of strangers” (Streetcar-Scene 11-madness of human)

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