1. The Era of Modernism 1910-1950

2. Shaping Influences  The speed at which people and information traveled increased exponentially as a result of: –The automobile –The radio –The telephone

3. Information Revolution  Print technology led to quick distribution of information.  People received news, information, and ideas more quickly than ever before. –Magazines –Books –Newspapers

4. The Power of Information  All of this information forced many into a feeling of outrage at the wars and allowed people to experience and share ideas in such a magnitude that there was no longer one common bond within our country.  Religion, government, and politics were all questioned with greater regularity because of the diverse information available to the public.  *Development of psychology contributed greatly (to be discussed later)

5. The Effect of War  The great war caused people to doubt traditional beliefs such as: –Religion – death and destruction caused a lack of faith –Gender roles – women taking on male roles in factories and other vocations –Women’s rights – independence and freedoms

6. Cultural and Social Changes  Led to people discovering new ways of expressing themselves.  Jazz music broke previous musical barriers –Syncopation –Irregular rhythms –Creative / expressive

7. The Influence of Music  Dance styles –Provocative –Flappers – women gained power and lost inhibitions –Rebellious –Sexual

8. Modernism’s Effect on Literature:  Virginia Woolf said: “On or about December 1910, human nature changed.”  She was referring to World War I and the unprecedented destruction that accompanied it.  Gertrude Stein, American author and expatriate, labeled the time period “The Lost Generation” –Referred to the lack of stability among the dissenting class

9. World War I  The most pivotal event of the Modernist era  The attitude of the country changed –People distrusted old politics, old systems, and old ideas –The incredible destruction of the war left people searching for new meaning

10. Americans Abroad  Many Americans disillusioned by the great war found it difficult to live in America and deal with the politics of the post-war era.  As a result, many people chose to leave the country for Europe.  They became known as expatriates.

11. Post-war Prosperity  In the 1920s, America entered a decade of post-war prosperity and exhibitionism. –Industrial boom allowed people to capitalize financially. –The number of college graduates doubled. –The stock market flourished

12. The 1920s  As people dealt with the pain and loss of the war, many masked that pain with excess.  Luxury items became vogue, and people tried to outdo each other with material objects.  F. Scott Fitzgerald said: “It was the beautiful and the damned, drowning in their own pleasure.”

13. The Literary Response  Unhappy with the past and distrusting old ideas and values, the authors and artists of the time period wanted to break from tradition and create new and innovative styles  Poet, Ezra Pound, was a leader of this movement, and his cry to other authors was: “Make it New!”

14. Literary Response  Like both music and art, the literary community lashed out at traditional style and conventional forms, initiating new modes of expression  The traditional plot structure was often replaced with FRAGMENTARY narratives –The idea of a beginning, middle, and end, became distorted –Many details were left out, forcing readers to actively participate in the literature

15. Literary Response  Encouraged stylistic innovations and disruptions of traditional forms  By challenging tradition, they believed they could reinvigorate literature  Wanted to break from patterned responses and predictable structures

16. Modernist Characters  Like the authors themselves, many characters were isolated, disillusioned, and questioned their place in society and the world  Many writers and their characters felt alienated from the majority  Characters were often looking for answers or trying to deal with their confusion as a result of traditional restrictions placed on them by society

17. Modernist Characters  Characters were forced to come to grips with their anxieties caused by guilt imposed on them by society –Government –Religion –Gender roles, etc –They questioned systems that imposed rules systems that imposed rules

18. A Time of Change  Never before had there been such radical changes in literature and art  Style, tradition, and form were all altered, creating new ways of seeing life.