The Moderns

Origins “The Great War”: WWI changed the American voice in fiction “The Great War”: WWI changed the American voice in fiction At first, patriotism & idealism…then reality At first, patriotism & idealism…then reality The war created intense DISILLUSIONMENT! The war created intense DISILLUSIONMENT!

Modern Themes Cynicism Cynicism Loss of Innocence Loss of Innocence Rejection of Tradition Rejection of Tradition Challenging the American Dream Challenging the American Dream Questioning Meaning and Purpose of Human Existence Questioning Meaning and Purpose of Human Existence

The American Dream 1. America as the bountiful new Eden 1. America as the bountiful new Eden 2. Optimism and faith in progress and opportunity 2. Optimism and faith in progress and opportunity 3. Importance and triumph of the individual 3. Importance and triumph of the individual However, the war challenged these beliefs… However, the war challenged these beliefs…

Two New Trends Marxism Marxism –Karl Marx’s impact on Russian Revolution –Increased distrust of Capitalism Psychoanalysis Psychoanalysis –Sigmund Freud  Role of the subconscious –Led to new literary style: “Stream-of-Consciousness”

The Jazz Age The Roaring 20s The Roaring 20s –Women’s suffrage, prohibition, bootleggers, flappers, jazz, etc. Many Americans lived abroad—”expatriates” Many Americans lived abroad—”expatriates”

New American Hero The Hemingway hero The Hemingway hero –Man of action, tough competitor –Code of honor, courage, and endurance –“Grace under pressure” –Disillusioned and flawed

Modern Poetry Influenced by European poets and painters Influenced by European poets and painters Symbolism Symbolism –Focusing on symbols to convey higher truths –Representing ideas and emotions by indirect suggestion rather than direct expression Imagism Imagism –Concentration on a single image to convey higher meaning –Believed poetry should use common language, have freedom in subject matter, and present a precise image

Important Authors F. Scott Fitzgerald F. Scott Fitzgerald Ernest Hemingway Ernest Hemingway John Steinbeck John Steinbeck William Faulkner William Faulkner T. S. Eliot T. S. Eliot Robert Frost Robert Frost Ezra Pound Ezra Pound E.E. Cummings E.E. Cummings And many more! And many more!