Contemporary Literature 1939 to Present

World War II On August 6, 1945, at 8:15 A.M., an atomic bomb was dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima by the U.S. Within seconds the center of Hiroshima had disappeared. This event ended WWII, and its mushroom cloud has cast a shadow over every generation since.

WWII cont. In many ways the nuclear bomb is the dramatic symbol of the last half of the 20th century. Its infamous mushroom cloud represents the triumph of science and technology, the purpose of which was, ironically enough, to benefit humankind, to make life richer and easier for us all.

WWII cont. Although many Americans disapproved of the use of the atomic bomb to end WWII, most agreed with the purpose of the war itself. They were fighting against tyranny, against regimes that would destroy the American way of life. Only twenty years later, however, the US became deeply involved in another overseas war– this time in Vietnam– that would deeply divide the nation.

Pause & Think Think of these events from WWII: do these influence your answers to our essential questions? Do they lead to more questions? - what is the meaning of life? - why is there suffering in the world? Turn to a partner and try to answer the last question…

Contemporary Fiction & Non-fiction: Diversity and Vitality One of the words most commonly used to describe contemporary American culture is postmodern, a term that, like our age, is still in the process of being defined. Postmodernism sees contemporary culture as a change– a development or a departure– from modernism, the dominant movement in the arts from about 1890 to 1945.

Contemporary Fiction & Non-fiction Postmodern writers of fiction allow for multiple meanings and multiple worlds in their works. Realistic and literal worlds, past worlds, and dreamlike metaphorical worlds may merge. Narrators and characters may tell different versions of a story, or a story may lend itself to several valid interpretations. They ask: “Why choose only one version? Why limit ourselves?”

Contemporary Fiction & Non-fiction Nonfiction used to be a literary form– not an art because it was text that was real-life. Nonfiction writers were lumped together with journalists, not respected authors. Since the 1970’s however, nonfiction has come into its own. Lists of bestsellers, which have always included self-help books, cookbooks, and exercise manuals, now regularly feature memoirs, biographies, and histories as well.

New Journalism The New Journalism In the 1960’s the new literary journalism began to appear. Truman Capote, Tom Wolfe, Joan Didion, Norman Mailer, and others attracted attention by describing contemporary culture and actual events in strongly individual voices. They used many of the devices of fiction, including complex characterization, plot, suspense, setting, symbolism, and irony. New Journalists included their opinion in their writing– something they never did before.

The Beat Poets The Beat Poets In 1956, a long poem called Howl was published by Allen Ginsberg– a poem that cried out against conformity that ruled modernism Along with On the Road, Jack Kerouac’s novel celebrating the bohemian life, these anti-conformity text became the bible for the young generation.

Poetry and the Personal Experience Poetry and Personal Experience In 1959, Robert Lowell published Life Studies, one of the most important and influential volumes of verse to appear since WWII. These poems are about intensely personal experiences that modernist poets have avoided dealing with directly: emotional distress, alcoholism, illness, and depression. They were labeled as critics as “confessional” and Lowell created the confessional school of poets– that consisted of all of this close friends.

History of the Human Heart Today American poetry is characterized by diversity. The extraordinary variety in style and attitude has attracted large new audiences. Poetry performances have sprung up throughout America, with live poetry slams. Technology has made available thousands of readings on audiotape and videotape, and television broadcasts and numerous Web sites are devoted to poetry.

History of the Human Heart cont. Much contemporary poetry reflects a democratic quality. Poetry lives in people, contemporary poets seem to say, and any walk of life, and experience, any style of expression, can result in authentic poetry. Contemporary poets often write in the language of common speech, and they do not hesitate to surprise or even shock with their language, their attitudes, and the details of their private lives. Poetry today is anything but impersonal.

Activity: Informational Summary Turn to page 4 of your packet Brainstorm a list of the MOST IMPORTANT information from this time period Write an informational summary on page 4 of your packet. Also, answer Reflection Question #1 (on your own) Remember to use Academic Language!