2. Existentialism
“We always find something, eh Didi, to give us the impression we exist?” Estragon in Waiting for Godot
Existentialism is a movement in twentieth-century philosophy and literature that centers on the individual and his or her relationship to the universe or God. One of the leading exponents of existentialist thought was French novelist and philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre… Among the most famous and influential existentialist propositions is Sartre’s dictum, “existence precedes and rules essence,” which is generally taken to mean that there is no pre-defined essence to humanity except that which we make for ourselves.

3. Existentialism
  Does not acknowledge the existence of a god or of any other determining principle; human beings are free to do as they choose. Along with this freedom to choose, there is the responsibility for the consequences of one’s choices. With this responsibility comes a profound anguish or dread.
Attempts to describe our desire to make rational decisions despite existing in an irrational universe. Unfortunately, life might be without inherent meaning (existential atheists) or it might be without a meaning we can understand (existential theists). Either way, the human desires for logic and immortality are futile. We are forced to define our own meanings, knowing they might be temporary.

4. Modernism
Modernism is a literary and artistic movement from the 1890s through the 1940s that provided a radical break with traditional modes of Western art, thought, religion, social conventions, and morality. It was a movement away from realism and romanticism.
Modern attitudes:
The artist challenges tradition and reinvigorates it.
The artist breaks away from patterned responses and predictable forms.

5. Modernism Modern themes: Attack on notions of hierarchy
Experimentation in new forms of narrative, such as stream of consciousness
Doubt about the existence of knowable, objective reality
Attention to alternative viewpoints and modes of thinking
Attention to the relationships between artist and audience and form and content

6. Theater of the Absurd Old rules (not always followed):
Use of language as a tool of logical communication
Cause-and-effect relationships
New rules:
New relationship between theme and presentation
External world depicted as menacing, devouring, and unknown
Settings and situations uncomfortable
World incoherent, frightening, and strange

7. Literary Movements and Periods
Absurd, literature of the
Enlightenment
Modernism
Postcolonial literature
Postmodernism
Realism
Romanticism
Victorian Era
Enlightenment
Romanticism
Realism
Victorian Era
Modernism
Literature of the Absurd
Postmodernism
Postcolonial literature

8. Literary Movements and Periods
Create a flow chart of the eight literary movements/periods we will be studying this year.
Include the following for each movement:
Arrow
Dates
Definition
Explanation of how it was a reaction against the previous movement
Example:
Enlightenment
( )
Romanticism
( )
Celebrated spontaneity, imagination, subjectivity, and purity of nature.
Intellectual; emphasized reason, progress, and liberty (Age of Reason).
Reaction against restraint and universalism of Enlightenment.

9. Works Cited
Abrams, M. H., Ed. “Modernism and Postmodernism.” A Glossary of Literary Terms. Boston: Thomson Wadsworth, Print.
Arts Club Theatre Company. “Teacher Resource Guide: Waiting for Godot By Samuel Beckett.” Web. 13 August 2012.
Reuben, Paul P. "Chapter 7: Early Twentieth Century: American Modernism - An Introduction." PAL: Perspectives in American Literature- A Research and Reference Guide. 29 Oct Web. 8 August 2012.