The Birth of Modernism (1914-1946) Disillusionment

WWI End of optimism Disillusionment Society in general wanted a new way of thinking The literature of the time heavily reflects this “New Way” of thinking

Modernism writers sought to capture the essence of modern life in both the form and content of their work.

R.I.P Reflect Implied themes Poetry

Reflect Fragmentation The Modernists constructed their works out of fragments. They omitted: Introductions Transitions Resolutions Explanations

Implied Themes Themes are not directly stated. This creates a sense of confusion, forcing the reader to draw his or her own conclusion

Poetry No longer followed the traditional forms. Free Verse was very popular

Modernism Demands This movement demanded more of the reader draw conclusions Fill in gaps Make connections Placed American literature on the same playing field as the rest of the world.

The Expatriates: Disenchantment led to many writers’ self-imposed exile. Many settled in Paris “The Lost Generation” Gertrude Stein, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Sherwood Anderson, Ezra Pound, T. S. Eliot

They did not praise or even accept much of what the world had to offer. They saw the world as random, meaningless chaos and hopelessness. This was reflected in their writings.

Imagism 1909-1917

It took place in England and the US It was a poetic movement that grew out of Modernism.

End of sentimentality Demanded hard, clear expression Concrete images Language of everyday speech Drew inspiration from Greek and Roman classics Chinese and Japanese poetry French poets of the time H.D. (Hilda Doolittle), Ezra Pound and Amy Lowell

Imagism (cont.) They were . . . They wanted to . . . Create word pictures. Express the essence of an object, person or incident, without providing explanations. They were . . . exceptionally careful in choosing words convinced that everyday language was the language of the poet They drew from Chinese and Japanese Haiku: Evoke emotions through an image or contrasting images