A Brief Foray Into European Modernism 1901-Present 1901-Present Bowen, Joyce and select other authors Bowen, Joyce and select other authors Unit Objectives: Unit Objectives: –Understand the historical and cultural context of modern and contemporary literature. –Identify characteristics and development of modernism –Identify and analyze descriptive details, diction, foreshadowing, flashback and ambiguity –Identify and analyze point of view and modes of narration –Identify and analyze setting and theme –Identify and analyze imagery, symbolism, tone and irony

Questions to Ponder: What does it mean to be modern? What does it mean to be modern? –Does the term “modern” mean we have to embrace change? –If so, how do people today reinvent themselves in order to do so? Are we all alone? Are we all alone? –Does change force us to live in a separate reality from others? How important is culture? How important is culture? –How do people assert their own cultural identity? Why is there always war? Why is there always war? –Is the history of humankind a continual battle? –How might human nature cause unending conflict?

Sooooo…. HOW DO WE MAKE SENSE OF SUCH A COMPLICATED WORLD?? HOW DO WE MAKE SENSE OF SUCH A COMPLICATED WORLD?? In Europe, Modernism was the answer- embracing the new fragments of a new England and eventually, a new Ireland. In Europe, Modernism was the answer- embracing the new fragments of a new England and eventually, a new Ireland. –World War I and World War II had ravaged both the surface and the inner-workings of the once great British Empire. –Authors, artists, musicians and other creative personalities felt alienated from society, and that they had no choice but to accept the changes, –But they also desired to reflect on greatness, and what qualities or attributes are needed to achieve it. To realize both the positive and negative aspects of the way nations worked. To realize both the positive and negative aspects of the way nations worked.

Psychological Literature Psychological fiction ignores dramatic action to focus on the inner life of its characters Psychological fiction ignores dramatic action to focus on the inner life of its characters –Emphasizes: Characters’ thoughts, feelings and impressions Characters’ thoughts, feelings and impressions Hidden motivations for characters’ actions Hidden motivations for characters’ actions Presence of internal conflict Presence of internal conflict We’ve studied a psychological thriller, “The Demon Lover,” that used flashback, foreshadowing, suspense and ambiguity to play with the mind of not just the character in the story, but the reader. We’ve studied a psychological thriller, “The Demon Lover,” that used flashback, foreshadowing, suspense and ambiguity to play with the mind of not just the character in the story, but the reader. –How does “Araby” qualify as a study of the psychology of the reader? Stream of Consciousness writing: presents random flow of thoughts and sensations in a character’s mind Stream of Consciousness writing: presents random flow of thoughts and sensations in a character’s mind

James Joyce (1882 – 1941)

An Irish novelist who revolutionized the methods of depicting characters and developing a plot in modern fiction. An Irish novelist who revolutionized the methods of depicting characters and developing a plot in modern fiction. Famous for frank portrayal of human nature Famous for frank portrayal of human nature –Acknowledges that some parts of human nature are vulgar –Causes reader to ask the question, could we be better as people? –Famous for acknowledging how unrealistic romantic portrayals of society can be. Demonstrated complete command of English, rather than Gaelic, the language of Irish history and folklore Demonstrated complete command of English, rather than Gaelic, the language of Irish history and folklore

Joyce, the childhood The eldest of ten children born in a Dublin suburb. His family was quite well off at first. The eldest of ten children born in a Dublin suburb. His family was quite well off at first. After the death of his father, though, the Joyce family fell into poverty. After the death of his father, though, the Joyce family fell into poverty.

His parents were Catholic, and thus Joyce ’ s education came under the influence of priests. His parents were Catholic, and thus Joyce ’ s education came under the influence of priests. Eventually, he and his youngest brother were admitted without paying to another school run by Jesuit Priests. He was a very good student and the leaders hoped he would become a priest. But he left in disgrace because he lost all faith in the religion during his last year at school. Eventually, he and his youngest brother were admitted without paying to another school run by Jesuit Priests. He was a very good student and the leaders hoped he would become a priest. But he left in disgrace because he lost all faith in the religion during his last year at school. Religion and education

Dublin College (1899 – 1902), where he studied languages and literature. Dublin College (1899 – 1902), where he studied languages and literature. When Joyce graduated in 1902, he knew he would become a writer and live in exile. Joyce believed that the artist could only work outside the established social order. Thus, he went to France, Italy and Switzerland to work. When Joyce graduated in 1902, he knew he would become a writer and live in exile. Joyce believed that the artist could only work outside the established social order. Thus, he went to France, Italy and Switzerland to work. Artist in exile

Joyce, the Romantic(sometimes) Joyce, the Romantic(sometimes) He took with him a peasant girl from the west of Ireland, whom he loved very much. She was uneducated and had no interest in literature, but her liveliness and witty sense of humour delighted him, they were devoted companions until he died. Her practical, sometimes cynical response to Joyce ’ s work provided a needed complement to his own self-absorption. He took with him a peasant girl from the west of Ireland, whom he loved very much. She was uneducated and had no interest in literature, but her liveliness and witty sense of humour delighted him, they were devoted companions until he died. Her practical, sometimes cynical response to Joyce ’ s work provided a needed complement to his own self-absorption. He promised her loyalty and a share in any happiness or fame that might come to him. “ No human being has ever stood so close to my soul as you stand. ” He promised her loyalty and a share in any happiness or fame that might come to him. “ No human being has ever stood so close to my soul as you stand. ”

Works In his early years abroad he began to write poems, short stories and an autobiographical novel. In his early years abroad he began to write poems, short stories and an autobiographical novel. But his book of short stories entitled The Dubliners was not published until But his book of short stories entitled The Dubliners was not published until His autobiographical novel was published in 1916 under the title of A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. His autobiographical novel was published in 1916 under the title of A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.

Most of the stories and characters were inspired by his own experiences Most of the stories and characters were inspired by his own experiences Ireland Most of his works were relatedMost of his works were related to Ireland, especially Dublin to Ireland, especially Dublin Revealed both the real world andRevealed both the real world and especially the spiritual world of the people especially the spiritual world of the people

works From 1922 until 1939 Joyce worked on Finnegans Wake (1939). From 1922 until 1939 Joyce worked on Finnegans Wake (1939). In 1917, Joyce contracted glaucoma; for the rest of his life he would endure pain, periods of near blindness, and many operations. In 1917, Joyce contracted glaucoma; for the rest of his life he would endure pain, periods of near blindness, and many operations. Joyce died in Z ü rich in 1941 after an operation. Joyce died in Z ü rich in 1941 after an operation.

Dubliners His summary judgment of Ireland appears as one word on the very first page of the book: paralysis. His summary judgment of Ireland appears as one word on the very first page of the book: paralysis. One theme running through Dubliners is that the best men are gone, that Ireland ’ s golden age is past. Also included are themes involving frustrated ambition – social, political, artistic, and romantic. One theme running through Dubliners is that the best men are gone, that Ireland ’ s golden age is past. Also included are themes involving frustrated ambition – social, political, artistic, and romantic.

ARABY

Araby Keep in Mind: Keep in Mind: –Point of View: First Person Narrator- “I”; story unfolds through eyes of one character First Person Narrator- “I”; story unfolds through eyes of one character –Narrator: Naïve- has very limited knowledge of and very little experience at bazaars Naïve- has very limited knowledge of and very little experience at bazaars Does not fully understand what he sees or feels Does not fully understand what he sees or feels Why did Joyce choose this for “Araby”? Why did Joyce choose this for “Araby”? –Details which convey reality, however harsh it might be. –What can you infer about the narrator and his epiphany (sudden awareness) at the end of the story? What is that epiphany? –What does Araby represent to the narrator? What is it a symbol of?? What is it a symbol of??

Araby Narrator: Catholic school boy with a crush on a girl. Narrator: Catholic school boy with a crush on a girl. Araby: a bazaar that the girl wants to go to, but can’t. Araby: a bazaar that the girl wants to go to, but can’t. –Boy decides to go buy her something at the bazaar. Unforeseen circumstances prevent him from buying anything, much to his frustration. Unforeseen circumstances prevent him from buying anything, much to his frustration. “Araby” is an archaic term for the Arabic language “Araby” is an archaic term for the Arabic language “Bazaar”- a large fair with multiple vendors “Bazaar”- a large fair with multiple vendors –Example: The Nutcracker Market