Postmodernism & Postmodernist Literature ASL Literature in English

Postmodernism: Definition Coined in 1949 Coined in 1949 To describe a dissatisfaction with modern architecture, founding the postmodern architecture To describe a dissatisfaction with modern architecture, founding the postmodern architecture Any of several movements (as in art, architecture, or literature) reacting against the philosophy and practices of modern movements Any of several movements (as in art, architecture, or literature) reacting against the philosophy and practices of modern movements An effect of, or reaction to, postmodernity -- a historical and cultural period that many believe has succeeded modernity An effect of, or reaction to, postmodernity -- a historical and cultural period that many believe has succeeded modernity

Postmodernist Literature: Overview After World War II After World War II A series of reactions against the perceived failure A series of reactions against the perceived failure Extension of modernist literature Extension of modernist literature Reaction against modernism Reaction against modernism

Postmodernist Literature: Overview Important Works: Important Works: Catch-22 by Joseph Heller (1961) Catch-22 by Joseph Heller (1961) Catch-22Joseph Heller Catch-22Joseph Heller Lost in the Funhouse by John Barth (1968) Lost in the Funhouse by John Barth (1968) Lost in the FunhouseJohn Barth Lost in the FunhouseJohn Barth Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut (1969) Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut (1969) Slaughterhouse FiveKurt Vonnegut Slaughterhouse FiveKurt Vonnegut Gravity's Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon (1973) Gravity's Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon (1973) Gravity's RainbowThomas Pynchon Gravity's RainbowThomas Pynchon

Wagner’s Approach to the Definition of Postmodernism To give a label to the period after 1968 (which would then encompass all forms of fiction, both innovative and traditional) To give a label to the period after 1968 (which would then encompass all forms of fiction, both innovative and traditional) To describe the highly experimental literature by Lawrence Durrell and John Fowles in 1960s to Martin Amis and the "Chemical (Scottish) Generation" of the fin-de-siècle To describe the highly experimental literature by Lawrence Durrell and John Fowles in 1960s to Martin Amis and the "Chemical (Scottish) Generation" of the fin-de-siècle

Wagner’s Approach to the Definition of Postmodernism Postmodernist writers: Experimental authors (especially Durrell, Fowles, Carter, Brooke- Rose, Barnes, Ackroyd, and Martin Amis) Postmodernist writers: Experimental authors (especially Durrell, Fowles, Carter, Brooke- Rose, Barnes, Ackroyd, and Martin Amis) Postmodern writers: authors who have been less innovative Postmodern writers: authors who have been less innovative

Modernism Vs Postmodernism A break from 19th century realism A break from 19th century realism A story was told from an objective or omniscient point of view A story was told from an objective or omniscient point of view Character development: Character development: Both literature explore subjectivism Both literature explore subjectivism Turning from external reality to examine inner states of consciousness Turning from external reality to examine inner states of consciousness Drawing on modernist examples in the stream of consciousness styles of Virginia Woolf and James Joyce Drawing on modernist examples in the stream of consciousness styles of Virginia Woolf and James Joyce Absurd plays: Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett Absurd plays: Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett

Modernism Vs Postmodernism: Poems The Waste Land by T S Eliot The Waste Land by T S Eliot Fragmentary Fragmentary Employing pastiche like much postmodern literature Employing pastiche like much postmodern literature Speaker in The Waste Land: "these fragments I have shored against my ruins" Speaker in The Waste Land: "these fragments I have shored against my ruins" Modernist literature: fragmentation and extreme subjectivity as an existential crisis, or Freudian internal conflict Modernist literature: fragmentation and extreme subjectivity as an existential crisis, or Freudian internal conflict

Modernism Vs Postmodernism: Poems A problem that must be solved, and the artist often cited as the one to solve it A problem that must be solved, and the artist often cited as the one to solve it Postmodernists: this chaos is insurmountable; the artist is impotent, and the only recourse against "ruin" is to play within the chaos. Postmodernists: this chaos is insurmountable; the artist is impotent, and the only recourse against "ruin" is to play within the chaos. Playfulness becomes central and the actual achievement of order and meaning becomes unlikely Playfulness becomes central and the actual achievement of order and meaning becomes unlikely

Modernism Vs Postmodernism Explore fragmentariness in narrative- and character-construction Explore fragmentariness in narrative- and character-construction Characterized by allusive difficulty, paradox, and indifference or outright hostility to the democratic ethos Characterized by allusive difficulty, paradox, and indifference or outright hostility to the democratic ethos More and more in jeopardy since the rise of fascism and dictatorial communism. More and more in jeopardy since the rise of fascism and dictatorial communism.

Postmodernist Literature: Characterization Not necessarily the same as the literature of postmodernity Not necessarily the same as the literature of postmodernity The movement ("postmodernism") focuses on eclecticism (the choosing of the "best" of previous movements), based on the postwar value system The movement ("postmodernism") focuses on eclecticism (the choosing of the "best" of previous movements), based on the postwar value system Any literature of the period postmodernity might be mislabelled "postmodern" Any literature of the period postmodernity might be mislabelled "postmodern"

Common Themes & Techniques Irony, playfulness, black humor Irony, playfulness, black humor Postmodern fiction: characterized by the ironic quote marks, Postmodern fiction: characterized by the ironic quote marks, Postmodern novelists labeled black humorists: John Barth, Joseph Heller, William Gaddis, Kurt Vonnegut, Bruce Jay Friedman Postmodern novelists labeled black humorists: John Barth, Joseph Heller, William Gaddis, Kurt Vonnegut, Bruce Jay FriedmanJohn BarthJoseph Heller William GaddisKurt VonnegutBruce Jay FriedmanJohn BarthJoseph Heller William GaddisKurt VonnegutBruce Jay Friedman Common to treat serious subjects in a playful and humorous way Common to treat serious subjects in a playful and humorous way

Common Themes & Techniques Stories of Donald Barthelme: A good example of postmodern irony and black humor Stories of Donald Barthelme: A good example of postmodern irony and black humorDonald BarthelmeDonald Barthelme “The School”: the ironic death of plants, animals, and people connected to the children in one class “The School”: the ironic death of plants, animals, and people connected to the children in one class The inexplicable repetition of death is treated only as a joke and the narrator remains emotionally distant throughout The inexplicable repetition of death is treated only as a joke and the narrator remains emotionally distant throughout

Common Themes & Techniques Thomas Pynchon: playfulness, often including silly wordplay, within a serious context Thomas Pynchon: playfulness, often including silly wordplay, within a serious context Thomas Pynchon Thomas Pynchon “The Crying of Lot 49”: Characters named Mike Fallopian and Stanley Koteks and a radio station called KCUF, while having a serious subject and a complex structure “The Crying of Lot 49”: Characters named Mike Fallopian and Stanley Koteks and a radio station called KCUF, while having a serious subject and a complex structureThe Crying of Lot 49The Crying of Lot 49

Common Themes & Techniques Pastiche Pastiche To combine, or "paste" together, multiple elements. To combine, or "paste" together, multiple elements. An homage to or a parody of past styles An homage to or a parody of past styles A representation of the chaotic, pluralistic, or information-drenched aspects of postmodern society A representation of the chaotic, pluralistic, or information-drenched aspects of postmodern society A combination of multiple genres to create a unique narrative or to comment on situations in postmodernity A combination of multiple genres to create a unique narrative or to comment on situations in postmodernity postmodernity William S. Burroughs: science fiction, detective fiction, westerns William S. Burroughs: science fiction, detective fiction, westerns William S. Burroughs William S. Burroughs Margaret Atwood: science fiction and fairy tales Margaret Atwood: science fiction and fairy tales Margaret Atwood Margaret Atwood

Common Themes & Techniques Broader pastiche of the postmodern novel: Metafiction and temporal distortion Broader pastiche of the postmodern novel: Metafiction and temporal distortion The Public Burning by Robert Coover (1977): Mixture of historically inaccurate accounts of Richard Nixon interacting with historical figures and fictional characters such as Uncle Sam and Betty Crocker. The Public Burning by Robert Coover (1977): Mixture of historically inaccurate accounts of Richard Nixon interacting with historical figures and fictional characters such as Uncle Sam and Betty Crocker.Robert CooverRobert Coover Pastiche in ompositional technique: the cut- up technique by Burroughs. Pastiche in ompositional technique: the cut- up technique by Burroughs. The Unfortunates by B. S. Johnson (1969): released in a box with no binding for readers to assemble how ever they chose. The Unfortunates by B. S. Johnson (1969): released in a box with no binding for readers to assemble how ever they chose.B. S. JohnsonB. S. Johnson

Common Themes & Techniques Metafiction Metafiction Writing about writing or "foregrounding the apparatus" Writing about writing or "foregrounding the apparatus" Making the artificiality of art or the fictionality of fiction apparent to the reader Making the artificiality of art or the fictionality of fiction apparent to the reader Generally disregards the necessity for “willful suspension of disbelief” Generally disregards the necessity for “willful suspension of disbelief” To undermine the authority of the author, for unexpected narrative shifts To undermine the authority of the author, for unexpected narrative shifts To advance a story in a unique way, for emotional distance To advance a story in a unique way, for emotional distance To comment on the act of storytelling To comment on the act of storytelling

Common Themes & Techniques If on a winter's night a traveler by Italo Calvino (1979): a reader attempting to read a novel of the same name If on a winter's night a traveler by Italo Calvino (1979): a reader attempting to read a novel of the same name If on a winter's night a traveler Italo Calvino If on a winter's night a traveler Italo Calvino Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut (1969): the first chapter - about the process of writing the novel Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut (1969): the first chapter - about the process of writing the novel Slaughterhouse FiveKurt Vonnegut Slaughterhouse FiveKurt Vonnegut

Common Themes & Techniques Historiographic metafiction Historiographic metafiction Fictionalize actual historical events or figures Fictionalize actual historical events or figures The General in His Labyrinth by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (about Simón Bolívar) The General in His Labyrinth by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (about Simón Bolívar) The General in His Labyrinth Simón Bolívar The General in His Labyrinth Simón Bolívar Ragtime by E. L. Doctorow (featuring such historical figures as Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and Sigmund Freud) Ragtime by E. L. Doctorow (featuring such historical figures as Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and Sigmund Freud) RagtimeE. L. DoctorowArchduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria Sigmund Freud RagtimeE. L. DoctorowArchduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria Sigmund Freud

Common Themes & Techniques Temporal distortion Temporal distortion Central features: Fragmentation and non-linear narratives Central features: Fragmentation and non-linear narratives Temporal distortion for the sake of irony Temporal distortion for the sake of irony Example: Historiographic metafiction Example: Historiographic metafiction Distortions in time in Kurt Vonnegut's non-linear novels: Billy Pilgrim in Slaughterhouse Five coming "unstuck in time“ Distortions in time in Kurt Vonnegut's non-linear novels: Billy Pilgrim in Slaughterhouse Five coming "unstuck in time“Kurt Vonnegut Slaughterhouse FiveKurt Vonnegut Slaughterhouse Five

Common Themes & Techniques Anachronisms: Abraham Lincoln using a telephone In his flight to Canada (Ishmael Reed) Anachronisms: Abraham Lincoln using a telephone In his flight to Canada (Ishmael Reed)Ishmael ReedIshmael Reed Time may also overlap, repeat, or bifurcate into multiple possibilities. Time may also overlap, repeat, or bifurcate into multiple possibilities. "The Babysitter" from Pricksongs & Descants by Robert Coover: multiple possible events occurring simultaneously -- in one section the babysitter is murdered while in another section nothing happens and so on "The Babysitter" from Pricksongs & Descants by Robert Coover: multiple possible events occurring simultaneously -- in one section the babysitter is murdered while in another section nothing happens and so onPricksongs & DescantsRobert CooverPricksongs & DescantsRobert Coover

Common Themes & Techniques Technoculture and hyperreality Technoculture and hyperreality Fredric Jameson: “society has moved past the industrial age and into the information age”. Fredric Jameson: “society has moved past the industrial age and into the information age”. Fredric Jameson Fredric Jameson Jean Baudrillard: postmodernity was defined by a shift into hyperreality in which simulations have replaced the real. Jean Baudrillard: postmodernity was defined by a shift into hyperreality in which simulations have replaced the real. Jean Baudrillardhyperreality Jean Baudrillardhyperreality People are inundated with information People are inundated with information Technology as a central focus in many lives Technology as a central focus in many lives

Common Themes & Techniques Our understanding of the real is mediated by simulations of the real Our understanding of the real is mediated by simulations of the real Characteristic irony and pastiche Characteristic irony and pastiche White Noise by Don DeLillo: characters who are bombarded with a “white noise” of television, product brand names, and clichés White Noise by Don DeLillo: characters who are bombarded with a “white noise” of television, product brand names, and clichésDon DeLilloDon DeLillo The cyberpunk fiction of William Gibson, Neal Stephenson The cyberpunk fiction of William Gibson, Neal StephensoncyberpunkWilliam GibsonNeal StephensoncyberpunkWilliam GibsonNeal Stephenson

Common Themes & Techniques Paranoia Paranoia The belief that there is an ordering system behind the chaos of the world The belief that there is an ordering system behind the chaos of the world Postmodernist: no ordering system exists, so a search for order is fruitless and absurd. Postmodernist: no ordering system exists, so a search for order is fruitless and absurd.absurd Often coincides with the theme of technoculture and hyperreality. Often coincides with the theme of technoculture and hyperreality. Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut: the character Dwayne Hoover becomes violent when he is convinced that everyone else in the world is a robot and he is the only human Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut: the character Dwayne Hoover becomes violent when he is convinced that everyone else in the world is a robot and he is the only humanKurt VonnegutKurt Vonnegut

Common Themes & Techniques Maximalism Maximalism a term used in literature, art, multimedia and graphical design, and music a term used in literature, art, multimedia and graphical design, and musicliteratureartmusicliteratureartmusic to explain a movement by encompassing all factors under a multi- purpose umbrella term like expressionism To describe the extensive way of writing post-modern novels to explain a movement by encompassing all factors under a multi- purpose umbrella term like expressionism To describe the extensive way of writing post-modern novels expressionismpost-modern novels expressionismpost-modern novels Digression, reference, and elaboration of detail Digression, reference, and elaboration of detail Also described as hysterical realism (similar to magical realism) coined by James Wood Also described as hysterical realism (similar to magical realism) coined by James Woodhysterical realismmagical realism James Woodhysterical realismmagical realism James Wood

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