Modernism

Objectives/Goals for this Unit RL 11.1: Cite strong and thorough evidence to support analysis of what the text specifically says as well as inferences RL.2-DETERMINE two or more themes or central ideas of a text and ANALYZE their development over the course of the text, including how they INTERACT and BUILD on one another to produce a complex account; PROVIDE an objective summary of the text. RI.2-DETERMINE two or more central ideas of a text and ANALYZE their development over the course of the text, including how they INTERACT and BUILD on one another to provide a complex analysis; PROVIDE an objective summary of the text.

Lit Terms To Know Central idea Theme The central idea is like a thesis statement in an essay; it is a statement of your main points. is a broad idea, message, or moral of a story. The message may be about life, society, or human nature. Themes often explore timeless and universal ideas and are almost always implied rather than stated explicitly.

Historical Background Modern period took place during and after WWI, 1929 market crash, the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression WWI – – First time Americans face a bloodbath war. Beginning of the end of innocence for Americans. Prohibition – 1919 amendment prohibited manufacture/sale of alcohol. Alcohol was thought to be central social evil.

Background cont Stock Market Crash – Economic destruction that spread to a global level. Plunged the US and the rest of the world into the Great Depression. Many businesses went bankrupt and suicide was at an all time high Great Depression – Millions of Americans suffered loss of jobs, poverty similar to third world poverty, starvation, and loss of material items

Background Cont. The Dust Bowl of the 1930s lasted for eight years dust blew on the southern plains. It came in a yellowish-brown haze from the South and in rolling walls of black from the North. The simplest acts of life — breathing, eating a meal, taking a walk — were no longer simple. Children wore dust masks to and from school, women hung wet sheets over windows in a futile attempt to stop the dirt, farmers watched helplessly as their crops blew away.

Loss of the American Dream Three central themes to the American Dream: Prior to Modernism, Americans all believed in the “American Dream.” 1. America is a new Eden – a beautiful. bountiful, and rewarding land. 2. Optimism in the Future – future holds abundance and opportunity 3. Importance of Individual – every person has is important, and should be independent and self- reliant

Loss of the American Dream Central Idea Motif/Tone The American Dream seemed lost. Events occurred that made the Dream seem unreachable. People became disillusioned/cynical/ disappointed in “happily ever after.”

Themes Themes in Writing Disillusionment is a major theme in writings of this time period.  Self –examination and dissatisfaction with self  Paralysis  Loss of faith in government/authority Self-Reliance is a continuing theme – self reliance in the face of disillusionment of government/ authority

Trends in Writing: Marxism and Psychoanalysis Marxist ideas were central ideas in some texts Psychoanalysis led to literary technique called: Stream of Consciousness – writing style using syntax that imitates moment-by-moment flow of a character’s perceptions and memories

Hemingway Hero and Code Motif, Setting, and Characterization  Motifs: honor, courage, and endurance in a life of stress, misfortune, and pain.  Setting: Often in Hemingway's stories, the hero's world is violent and disorderly; moreover, the violence and disorder seem to win.  Characterization: The Hemingway Hero act honorably in the midst of what will be a losing battle. In doing so he finds fulfillment: he becomes a man or proves his manhood and his worth.

Hemingway Hero and Code Theme Belief in the self and such qualities of decency, bravery, competence, and skill as one can summon. Important to recognize and snatch up the rare, good, rich moments that life offers, before those moments elude us.

Harlem Renaissance MacDougald, Elise. Two School Teachers. Background: Harlem Renaissance is the name given to the period from the end of World War I and through the middle of the 1930s Depression, during which a group of talented African-American writers produced a sizable body of literature in the four prominent genres of poetry, fiction, drama, and essay.

Themes of Harlem Renaissance Harlem Renaissance Johnson, William. Street Life. Common themes: The notion of "twoness", a divided awareness of one's identity, Alienation and marginality, racial consciousness, "the back to Africa" movement led by Marcus Garvey, racial integration,

Techniques of the Harlem Renaissance Techniques: Conflicts for HR Writers The use of folk dialect, syntax that uses the blues/jazz tradition, The use of folk material for plot and diction, the problems of writing for an elite audience.

Reuben, Paul. “ Chapter 9: Harlem Renaissance - A Brief Introduction.’’ PAL: Perspectives in American Literature - A Research and Reference Guide - An Ongoing Project. 02 November Web. 27 November 2011.