Definition (2) An artistic, design or general philosophy based on rational thought, objectivity, universalism, internationalism, scalability, … The built environment that we live in today was largely shaped by Modernism. “No one had ever made him feel he was a Jew, James Joyce (from Dublin, Ireland) - His most experimental and famous work. Modernism and Post-modernism are the two major literary periods in English Literature, prevailed in the 20th century, challenged conventional literary styles and witnessed the annihilation of two World Wars (I, II). Modernist poetry often includes foreign languages, dense vocabulary and invented words. Literary modernism, or modernist literature, has its origins in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, mainly in Europe and North America, and is characterized by a self-conscious break with traditional ways of writing, in both poetry and prose fiction The horrors of World War I (1914-19), with its accompanying atrocities and senselessness became the catalyst for the Modernist movement in literature and art. But individualism results in feelings of isolation and loss. Modernist writers broke free of old forms and techniques. Features of literary Modernism The Modernist period in English Literature occupied the years from shortly after the beginning of the 20th century. eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. The senseless violence of WWII was yet more evidence that humanity had lost its way. He holds a Master of Library and Information Science. Modernism in literature was a new style of writing that originated in the 19th century, as a challenge to the traditional trends. Writers presented the world or society as a challenge to the integrity of their characters. Formal/Stylistic Characteristics Of Modernism Irony, comparisons, juxtaposition and satire are some common elements found in modernist writing. For example- Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett, The Waste Land by … In literature, it used to describe certain characteristics of post–World War II literature, for example, on fragmentation, paradox, questionable narrators, etc. PLAY. In modernist literature, man is assured that his own sense of morality trumps. Modernist literature is also marked by themes of loss and exile. what are the characteristics of Modernism in Literature? 22 terms. It began as a reaction to a sense of social breakdown as a result of World War I. Modernism was a literary technique developed by writers who thought new forms of expression were necessary to show the realities of new and broken world. 1927: Charles Lindbergh flies solo across the Atlantic 1929: Stock Market crashes… Modernism Modernists experimented with literary form and expression, as exemplified by Ezra Pound's maxim to "Make it new." Symbolism: Use of symbols to signify ideas by giving them more than ju… This break includes a strong reaction against established religious, political and social views. The modern literature was the very opposite of the Victorian literature. Irony, satire, and comparisons were often employed to point out society's ills. Looking for convenient notes on literary … It touched both poetry, prose fiction, and drama. Modernist authors depicted this absurdity in their works. They left much more to the reader's imagination than earlier writers, leading to open-ended narratives with multiple interpretations. The following are characteristics of Modernism: The horrors of World War I (1914-19), with its accompanying atrocities and senselessness became the catalyst for the Modernist movement in literature and art. War and industrialization seemed to devalue the individual. The literary movement is characterized by a break with traditional ways of writing. Read this article to know more about the characteristics of modernism. cummings abandoned all structure and spread his words all across the page. 22 terms. Literary modernism, or modernist literature, originated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, mainly in Europe and North America, and is characterized by a self-conscious break with traditional ways of writing, in both poetry and prose fiction writing. The following are characteristics of Modernism: Marked by a strong and intentional break with tradition. This literary movement was driven by a conscious desire to overturn traditional modes of representation and express th Cut and paste. In some cases, the individual triumphed over obstacles. Characteristics of Modernism. We're supposed to be talking about literature here, but Modernism tends to blur the lines between media. Writers mixed images from the past with modern languages and themes, creating a collage of styles. 2 Educator answers. Novelists defied all expectations. This break includes a strong reaction against established religious, political, and social views. The pace of change was dizzying. Literary modernism got its start in the late 1880s when writers, thinkers, and artists began considering the necessity of pushing aside preconceived norms and devising a new way of considering one’s own reality. He presented original work at the 20th Century Literature Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. 1914: WW I begins (Archduke Ferdinand assassinated) 1917: Russian Revolution breaks out; U. S. enters WW I 1918: Armistice declared in WW I (stopping the fighting) 1920: 19th Amendment to Constitution gives women right to vote; 18th amendment prohibiting manufacture, sale, and importation of alcoholic drinks goes into effect (Prohibition) 1925: Scopes Tennessee Evolution trial (debating whether schools can teach evolution). Maybe that's because Modernist writers hung out with visual artists all the time, and these kinds of art tended to cross-pollinate. The idea of a poem as a riddle to be cracked had its beginnings in the Modernist period. Modernism in Literature is not a chronological designation; rather it consists of literary work possessing certain loosely defined characteristics. This break includes a strong reaction against established religious, political, and social views. 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