Introduction to Postmodernism

Questions  What is postmodernism? 2.Why should we care about it? 3.Have you received a modern or postmodern education? 4.What does postmodernism have to say about your identity? 5.What does postmodernism have to say about truth, beauty, and goodness? 

Evolution of Western Thought Timeline as TRADITIONAL WESTERN “MODERN” THINKING Theocentric Humanistic Economic Naturalistic

Modernity RENAISSANCE TO ABOUT 1900 (+/- 30 years) Baudrillard: Early modernity: Renaissance to Industrial Revolution Modernity:Industrial Revolution Postmodernity:Period of mass media The world according to white Anglo-Saxon males from Europe Timeline TRADITIONAL WESTERN “MODERN” THINKING

Your Place in History  Timeline TRADITIONAL WESTERN “MODERN” THINKING n Modernism n Postmodernism 14th C You are here

Modernity God, reason and progress There was a center to the universe. Progress is based upon knowledge, and man is capable of discerning objective absolute truths in science and the arts. Modernism is linked to capitalism— progressive economic administration of world Modernization of 3rd world countries (imposition of modern Western values) Newtonian Order TRADITIONAL WESTERN “MODERN” THINKING

Liberal Humanism: View of Literature Good literature is of timeless significance. The text will reveal constants, universal truths, about human nature, because human nature itself is constant and unchanging. Purpose of Literature TRADITIONAL WESTERN “MODERN” THINKING

Modernism Early 1900s: World War I Worldwide poverty & exploitation Intellectual upheaval: Freud: psychoanalysis Marx: class struggle Kierkegaard, Heidegger, Neitzsche Picasso, Stravinsky, Kafka, Proust, Brecht, Joyce, Eliot Death of the Old Order TRADITIONAL WESTERN “MODERN” THINKING PRECURSORS OF POSTMODERNISM

Relativism Einstein: relativity, quantum mechanics Refutation of Newtonian science Time is relative Matter and energy are one Light as both particle and wave Universe is strange The Bending of Time & Space TRADITIONAL WESTERN “MODERN” THINKING PRECURSORS OF POSTMODERNISM E=mc2

Modernist Art Cubism Surrealism Dadaism Expressionism Breaking the Rules PRECURSORS OF POSTMODERNISM

Modernist Art Cubism Surrealism Dadaism Expressionism Breaking the Rules PRECURSORS OF POSTMODERNISM

Modernist Literature “Things fall apart, The centre cannot hold, Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world.”   “   ”  A World with No Center PRECURSORS OF POSTMODERNISM

Modernist Literature Emphasis on impressionism and subjectivity Movement away from “objective” third- party narration Tendency toward reflexivity and self- consciousness Obsession with the psychology of self Rejection of traditional aesthetic theories Experimentation with language Breaking the Rules PRECURSORS OF POSTMODERNISM

What is Postmodernism? Continuation of modernist view Does not mourn loss of history, self, religion, center A term applied to all human sciences — anthropology, psychology, architecture, history, etc. Reaction to modernism; systematic skepticism Anti-foundational Acceptance of a New Age POSTMODERNISM

What is Postmodernism? The Enlightenment project is dead. Acceptance of a New Age POSTMODERNISM

Postmodernism: Basic Concepts Life just is Rejection of all master narratives All “truths” are contingent cultural constructs Skepticism of progress; anti-technology bias Sense of fragmentation and decentered self Multiple conflicting identities Mass-mediated reality The End of Master Narratives POSTMODERNISM

Postmodernism: Basic Concepts All versions of reality are SOCIAL CONSTRUCTS Concepts of good and evil Metaphors for God Language The self Gender EVERYTHING! The End of Master Narratives POSTMODERNISM

Postmodernism: Basic Concepts Language is a social construct that “speaks” & identifies the subject Knowledge is contingent, contextual and linked to POWER Truth is pluralistic, dependent upon the frame of reference of the observer Values are derived from ordinary social practices, which differ from culture to culture and change with time. Values are determined by manipulation and domination Language As Social Construct POSTMODERNISM

Postmodern View of Language Observer is a participant/part of what is observed Receiver of message is a component of the message Information becomes information only when contextualized The individual (the subject) is a cultural construct Consider role of own culture when examining others All interpretation is conditioned by cultural perspective and mediated by symbols and practice The Observer is King POSTMODERNISM

PostModern Literature Extreme freedom of form and expression Repudiation of boundaries of narration & genre Intrusive, self-reflexive author Parodies of meta-narratives Deliberate violation of standards of sense and decency (which are viewed as methods of social control) Integration of everyday experience, pop culture Play and Parody POSTMODERNISM

PostModern Literature Parody, play, black humor, pastiche Nonlinear, fragmented narratives Ambiguities and uncertainties Conspiracy and paranoia Ironic detachment Linguistic innovations Postcolonial, global-English literature Fragmented Identities POSTMODERNISM

ModernityPostModern History as fact Faith in social order Family as central unit Authenticity of originals Mass consumption Binary Oppositions POSTMODERNISM n Written by the victors n Cultural pluralism n Alternate families n Hyper-reality (MTV) n Niches; small group identity

Modern or Postmodern? POSTMODERNISM

Modern or Postmodern? POSTMODERNISM

Modern or Postmodern? POSTMODERNISM A Southern Baptist who practices Buddhist meditation and believes in the Big Bang theory.

Modern or Postmodern? POSTMODERNISM

Modern or Postmodern? POSTMODERNISM

Modern or Postmodern? POSTMODERNISM

Modern or Postmodern? POSTMODERNISM

PostModernism THE HOPE OF POSTMODERNISTS: The deconstruction of foundational views will lead to a recognition and acceptance of a pluralistic worldview. Create a truly global civilization. Celebrating Diversity POSTMODERNISM

Literary & FilmTheory Different constructs of reality “Lenses” through which we see the world Celebrating Diversity POSTMODERNISM ?