AND ITS IMPACT ON AMERICAN LITERATURE The Modern Period…

MODERNISM--characteristics MODERNISM--characteristics called for bold experimentation called for bold experimentation a rejection of traditional themes and styles such as: a rejection of traditional themes and styles such as: Morality: Rise in Sexual Promiscuity; Introduction of Birth Control; Morality: Rise in Sexual Promiscuity; Introduction of Birth Control; Fashion: Short skirts, bobbed hair, “Flapper” look Fashion: Short skirts, bobbed hair, “Flapper” look Writers begin to question authority Writers begin to question authority Language: Rise in usage of slang, not only in everyday speech, but in literature as well Language: Rise in usage of slang, not only in everyday speech, but in literature as well Tone (attitude toward life in America and American Dream) is cynical (bitter, hopeless) Tone (attitude toward life in America and American Dream) is cynical (bitter, hopeless) the American Dream—Americans rejected the notion that anyone, despite their circumstances of birth, could achieve their full potential the American Dream—Americans rejected the notion that anyone, despite their circumstances of birth, could achieve their full potential

Three Central Ideas Three Central Ideas 1. Admiration for America as a “New Eden” Land of Beauty, Bounty, Unlimited Promise Land of Beauty, Bounty, Unlimited Promise 2. Optimism and Opportunity: justified by progress of Industrial Revolution and ever-expanding opportunities in America Americans believed in progress—life will just keep getting better Americans believed in progress—life will just keep getting better 3. Importance and ultimate triumph of the individual Independent, self-reliant individual—Based on Franklin and Emersonian beliefs Independent, self-reliant individual—Based on Franklin and Emersonian beliefs Modernism contrasted the promise America offered with the disappointment when the reality did not live up to the ideal.

What destroys America’s faith in the Dream? The stock market crash of 1929 and Depression of 1930s The stock market crash of 1929 and Depression of 1930s Dustbowl Era (1930s)—severe drought and soil erosion affected 100 million acres of land and led to the mass migration of 2.5 million people out of the Great Plains states Dustbowl Era (1930s)—severe drought and soil erosion affected 100 million acres of land and led to the mass migration of 2.5 million people out of the Great Plains states WWI —emphasized the unimportance of individual life and the destructive nature of mankind WWI —emphasized the unimportance of individual life and the destructive nature of mankind Prohibition —gives rise to bootleggers, speakeasies, looser moral codes in the younger generation Prohibition —gives rise to bootleggers, speakeasies, looser moral codes in the younger generation Rise of Socialism/Communism further reinforces the unimportance of the individual Rise of Socialism/Communism further reinforces the unimportance of the individual

Style and Theme Style and Theme Theme : Modern writers challenged the American Dream by asking for the meaning and purpose of human life. Theme : Modern writers challenged the American Dream by asking for the meaning and purpose of human life. Style: Stream of consciousness: a style of writing that portrays the inner (and often chaotic) workings of a characters mind Style: Stream of consciousness: a style of writing that portrays the inner (and often chaotic) workings of a characters mind abandoned ordered time abandoned ordered time attempted to imitate the moment by moment flow of thoughts and ideas attempted to imitate the moment by moment flow of thoughts and ideas Style: Plain Style Style: Plain Style Return to simple sentences and clarity of expression Return to simple sentences and clarity of expression Use of slang and common language Use of slang and common language Lack of figurative language—metaphors, similes, flowery imagery Lack of figurative language—metaphors, similes, flowery imagery

Content: New Modern Hero Content: New Modern Hero man of action (warrior & competitor) man of action (warrior & competitor) has a code of honor, courage, and endurance has a code of honor, courage, and endurance Based on his own philosophy, not on what society tells him is morally right Based on his own philosophy, not on what society tells him is morally right thoroughly disillusioned—believes in nothing at all thoroughly disillusioned—believes in nothing at all Has lost faith in America, the American Dream, and usually himself Has lost faith in America, the American Dream, and usually himself