MODERNISM Disillusion, Defiance, & Discontent ( )

History The years that came right before World War I were highly optimistic. The years that came right before World War I were highly optimistic. Many technological advances made people’s lives easier. Many technological advances made people’s lives easier. There were many social ills present within our country, but President Woodrow Wilson was forced to focus on the war in Europe instead. There were many social ills present within our country, but President Woodrow Wilson was forced to focus on the war in Europe instead.

War in Europe (WWI) Struggle between the Allies and Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey) Struggle between the Allies and Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey) President Wilson wanted us to remain neutral; however, the Germans sank a British ship with Americans onboard. President Wilson wanted us to remain neutral; however, the Germans sank a British ship with Americans onboard. Because of this, America joined the war. Because of this, America joined the war.

Attitudes of Americans While the soldiers were at war (not on our soil), Americans were confident and carefree. While the soldiers were at war (not on our soil), Americans were confident and carefree. Many authors, however, served in the war and saw how terrible it was. Many authors, however, served in the war and saw how terrible it was. Lost Generation Lost Generation The literature began to reflect these horrors. The literature began to reflect these horrors.

The Lost Generation American writers who rebelled against what America had become by the 1900s. American writers who rebelled against what America had become by the 1900s. Mainstream culture viewed America as “successful” because of its economy and the fact that one could be a “self-made man. Mainstream culture viewed America as “successful” because of its economy and the fact that one could be a “self-made man. Some writers did not agree. Some writers did not agree. Devoid of culture Devoid of culture WASP was only culture valued WASP was only culture valued

“Cosmopolitan Culture” These writers liked the “cosmopolitan culture” of places in Europe, like Paris and London. These writers liked the “cosmopolitan culture” of places in Europe, like Paris and London. Unhappy, so writing reflected a feeling of “disappointment” in traditional American values. Unhappy, so writing reflected a feeling of “disappointment” in traditional American values. Packed up and moved to Europe in search of “culture” and literary freedom. Packed up and moved to Europe in search of “culture” and literary freedom. Set apart from other writers in both geography and content Set apart from other writers in both geography and content Moved America from strict Victorian style to Modern Moved America from strict Victorian style to Modern

Prosperity and Depression Years following the war were NOT peaceful. Years following the war were NOT peaceful. America did not join League of Nations America did not join League of Nations Prohibition stopped alcohol sales Prohibition stopped alcohol sales Illegal bootlegging and gangs became widespread Illegal bootlegging and gangs became widespread These years may have looked more peaceful than they actually were: These years may have looked more peaceful than they actually were: Great economic prosperity in the 1920’s Great economic prosperity in the 1920’s Radio, Jazz music, movies, dancing Radio, Jazz music, movies, dancing

Depression October 1929: Stock Market crashes October 1929: Stock Market crashes 12 million people out of work (1/4 of people who previously worked) 12 million people out of work (1/4 of people who previously worked) Election of Franklin D. Roosevelt brought new hope Election of Franklin D. Roosevelt brought new hope New Deal—major economic reform, new jobs, economy is strengthened New Deal—major economic reform, new jobs, economy is strengthened

World War II Began 20 years after WWI Began 20 years after WWI Dominant mood of Americans was isolationism Dominant mood of Americans was isolationism America wanted to stay neutral again, but the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7, America wanted to stay neutral again, but the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7, Allies win (defeat Nazi Germany) Allies win (defeat Nazi Germany)

The Birth of Modernism Many people are left with a feeling of uncertainty and disillusion. Many people are left with a feeling of uncertainty and disillusion. They no longer trust the values and ideas that existed before the wars. They no longer trust the values and ideas that existed before the wars. People set out on a quest for new ideas, and these new ideas are reflected in the literature. People set out on a quest for new ideas, and these new ideas are reflected in the literature.

How New Ideas are Seen in Literature Experimented with new approaches and techniques Experimented with new approaches and techniques Sought to capture the essence of modern life in both form and content Sought to capture the essence of modern life in both form and content Sought to reflect the fragmentation of modern world Sought to reflect the fragmentation of modern world Abandon traditional form and meter in poetry Abandon traditional form and meter in poetry Themes are implied rather than directly stated Themes are implied rather than directly stated