Postmodern Literature 1950’s – present

Reacting against what came before… All literary movements begin as a REACTION against the previous movement; thus, many of the characteristics can be compared side by side to see the shift more clearlyAll literary movements begin as a REACTION against the previous movement; thus, many of the characteristics can be compared side by side to see the shift more clearly –Realism reacted against Romanticism… –Modernism reacted against Realism… –Now Post Modernism reacts against Modernism!

Modernism vs. PoMo See world as composed of one universal Truth (capitalized); as religion has come under question, that Truth is up for debate, but the artist is the conduit to reach itSee world as composed of one universal Truth (capitalized); as religion has come under question, that Truth is up for debate, but the artist is the conduit to reach it Essential question: How can I interpret this world of which I am part?Essential question: How can I interpret this world of which I am part? See world as composed of multiple, historicized truths (little t, plural); truth is constructed by historians, media, artist, AND reader Essential question: Which world am I in?

Modernism vs. PoMo Artistic distance between artist and work; personality of writer absent in work; “I” is a universal “I”, not artistArtistic distance between artist and work; personality of writer absent in work; “I” is a universal “I”, not artist Writer has privileged insight to Truth; works to reveal to readerWriter has privileged insight to Truth; works to reveal to reader Much more intimate nature; writer is very much present in the work; “I” often equals “writer” Shared author/reader/culture production of truths

Modernism vs. PoMo Rely on classical and literary allusions to help convey universal TruthRely on classical and literary allusions to help convey universal Truth Ex. “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” alludes to Dante’s Inferno and Shakespeare’s HamletEx. “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” alludes to Dante’s Inferno and Shakespeare’s Hamlet Avoid excess of allusions, but if do use them, are usually personal or pop culture related Ex. PoMo poem may allude to the death of poet’s dog in 3 rd grade, which reader doesn’t know, but poet doesn’t care

Modernism vs. PoMo See selves as myth-users; use myths to re-establish universal Truth based on the pastSee selves as myth-users; use myths to re-establish universal Truth based on the past Ex. Final lines of The Waste Land: “these fragments I have shored against my ruins”Ex. Final lines of The Waste Land: “these fragments I have shored against my ruins” See selves as myth- makers; modify myths to fit contemporary situations and create new myths to fit contemporary situations Ex. Shrek takes fairy tale and makes it fit TODAY (laughs at old stereotypes)

Other PoMo Characteristics Structures writing in nontraditional formsStructures writing in nontraditional forms –PoMo writers experiment with form of fiction in order to convey meaning, or even just for the “fun” of playing with the reader’s expectations –The Things They Carried is a novel, but not in the typical sense of the word

Other PoMo Characteristics Comments upon itselfComments upon itself –PoMo writers are often intensely self-conscious, and therefore comment upon the art they are creating AS they are creating it –“How to Tell a True War Story”

Other PoMo Characteristics Blends and overlaps fiction and non-fictionBlends and overlaps fiction and non-fiction –This idea ties in with the concept of multiple worlds existing simultaneously, thus these two historically separate genres are seen more fluidly by PoMo writers –Tim O’Brien the author…Tim O’Brien the character

Other PoMo Characteristics Features cultural diversityFeatures cultural diversity –PoMo writing has been more “open” to writers of various cultures and genders –Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Alice Walker, Amy Tan, Toni Morrison, etc.