Modernism & Post-World War II and Contemporary Period

MODERNISM &
POST-WORLD WAR II
AND CONTEMPORARY
PERIOD (MID-20TH
CENTURY TO PRESENT)
1
Modernism (early to mid-20th century)
Some key features of modernist literature

Experimentation with form and style: Modernist writers sought to challenge
established norms and traditions. They experimented with unconventional
narrative structures, fragmented narratives, stream of consciousness, and
nonlinear storytelling.
Subjectivity and individual perception: Modernist literature often focused on

the inner thoughts, feelings, and consciousness of the characters. It explored
the subjective nature of reality and the fragmented nature of human
experience.
Critique of traditional values and institutions: Modernist writers questioned and

criticized traditional societal norms, religious beliefs, and political systems.
They often portrayed a sense of disillusionment and alienation from the
established order.
Ambiguity and open-endedness: Modernist literature often left room for

interpretation and avoided clear resolutions. It embraced ambiguity, multiple
perspectives, and unresolved questions.
In uences of urbanization and industrialization: The rapid urbanization and

industrialization of America during the early 20th century had a signi cant
impact on modernist literature. It re ected the alienation and dislocation
experienced by individuals in the face of rapid social change.
Prominent modernist writers

F. Scott Fitzgerald: Known for his novel "The Great Gatsby," Fitzgerald
explored themes of wealth, disillusionment, and the decline of the American
Dream.
Ernest Hemingway: Hemingway's spare and minimalist writing style

characterized his novels such as "The Sun Also Rises" and "A Farewell to
Arms." He focused on themes of war, masculinity, and existentialism.
William Faulkner: Faulkner's works, including "The Sound and the Fury" and
"As I Lay Dying," employed complex narrative techniques and explored themes
of family, race, and the decline of the Southern aristocracy.
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Prominent modernist writers
T.S. Eliot: A poet and essayist, Eliot's poem "The Waste Land" is
considered one of the de ning works of modernist literature. His
writing re ected the disillusionment and fragmentation of post-World War I
society.
Langston Hughes: As a leading gure of the Harlem Renaissance, Hughes

celebrated African American culture and identity in his poetry and ction. His
works, such as "The Weary Blues" and "Montage of a Dream Deferred,"
addressed racial injustice and the Black experience in America.
Others
Novels
Gertrude Stein
Ezra Pound
Wallace Stevens
H.D. (Hilda Doolittle)
Marianne Moore
E.E. Cummings
John Dos Passos
Djuna Barnes
Richard Wright
Zora Neale Hurston
William Carlos Williams
Robert Frost
Thomas Wolfe
Hart Crane
John Steinbeck
Thornton Wilder
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Others
Saul Bellow
Ralph Ellison
Tennessee Williams
Arthur Miller
Prose
"Letters of a Traveller" (1850) - A collection of essays and travelogues re ecting
Bryant's observations and experiences.
"Picturesque America" (1872-1874) - An illustrated work featuring descriptions

and images of various American landscapes and landmarks.
"Letters from Spain and Other Countries" (1859) - A collection of travel letters
detailing Bryant's experiences in Spain and other European countries.
Post-World War II and Contemporary Period

(mid-20th century to present)
Features
Diversity and Multiculturalism: The literature of this period re ects the
increasing diversity of American society, with a focus on marginalized voices,
ethnic identities, and multicultural experiences.
Postmodernism and Meta ction: Postmodernist tendencies emerged,

characterized by skepticism towards grand narratives, self-re exivity,
intertextuality, and experimentation with form and language.
Historical Revisionism: Writers explored historical events and reinterpreted

them from new perspectives, challenging traditional narratives and revealing
hidden or alternative stories.
Feminism and Gender Studies: Feminist literature gained prominence,

addressing issues of gender inequality, women's rights, and the construction of
gender identities.
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Features
Civil Rights and Social Justice: Literature responded to the civil rights
movement, exploring racial injustice, discrimination, and the quest for equality.
Technology and Globalization: The in uence of technology and globalization on

society, communication, and identity became prevalent themes in
contemporary literature.
Important writers
Toni Morrison: Known for her novels such as "Beloved," "Song of Solomon,"
and "The Bluest Eye," Morrison explored themes of race, history, and the
African American experience.
Allen Ginsberg: A prominent Beat Generation poet, Ginsberg's "Howl"

challenged societal norms and explored themes of counterculture, sexuality,
and spirituality.
Philip Roth: Roth's novels, including "American Pastoral" and "The Plot Against
America," delved into American identity, Jewish-American experience, and the
complexities of modern society.
Maya Angelou: Angelou's autobiographical work, "I Know Why the Caged Bird
Sings," addressed themes of race, identity, and resilience in the face of
adversity.
Saul Bellow: Bellow's novels, such as "The Adventures of Augie March" and
"Herzog," explored the struggles of individuals in modern society, grappling
with identity and existential questions.
J.D. Salinger: Salinger's novel "The Catcher in the Rye" became an iconic work
of post-war literature, capturing the disillusionment and alienation of the
younger generation.
Alice Walker: Walker's novel "The Color Purple" examined issues of race,
gender, and abuse, becoming a seminal work in feminist and African American
literature.
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Important writers
Cormac McCarthy: McCarthy's novels, such as "Blood Meridian" and "The
Road," explored dark and apocalyptic landscapes, addressing themes of
violence, morality, and survival.
Toni Cade Bambara: Bambara's short stories, such as "Gorilla, My Love,"

depicted the lives of African Americans in urban settings, focusing on social
and political issues.
Louise Erdrich: Erdrich's novels, including "Love Medicine" and "The Round
House," explored Native American culture, history, and the impact of
colonization on indigenous communities.
Junot Díaz: Díaz's novel "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" examined
themes of identity, immigration, and the experience of Dominican Americans.
Jennifer Egan: Egan's novel "A Visit from the Goon Squad" experimented with
narrative structure and explored the e ects of time, technology, and popular
culture on individuals.
Ta-Nehisi Coates: Coates's non ction work, "Between the World and Me,"
provided a powerful examination of race in America, drawing from personal
experiences and historical
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MODERNISM &

Some key features of modernist literature

Subjectivity and individual perception: Modernist literature often focused on

Critique of traditional values and institutions: Modernist writers questioned and

Ambiguity and open-endedness: Modernist literature often left room for

In uences of urbanization and industrialization: The rapid urbanization and

Prominent modernist writers

Ernest Hemingway: Hemingway's spare and minimalist writing style

Langston Hughes: As a leading gure of the Harlem Renaissance, Hughes

H.D. (Hilda Doolittle)

John Dos Passos

Zora Neale Hurston

William Carlos Williams

"Picturesque America" (1872-1874) - An illustrated work featuring descriptions

Post-World War II and Contemporary Period

Postmodernism and Meta ction: Postmodernist tendencies emerged,

Historical Revisionism: Writers explored historical events and reinterpreted

Feminism and Gender Studies: Feminist literature gained prominence,

Technology and Globalization: The in uence of technology and globalization on

Allen Ginsberg: A prominent Beat Generation poet, Ginsberg's "Howl"

Toni Cade Bambara: Bambara's short stories, such as "Gorilla, My Love,"

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