1. MODERNISM Alienation of the Individual

2. Things were changing in the world. After WWI ended in 1918, Europe was destroyed. The US was obviously affected; the country was caught up in uncertainty. What was going to happen next? After WWI ended in 1918, Europe was destroyed. The US was obviously affected; the country was caught up in uncertainty. What was going to happen next? US economy was booming. US economy was booming. Technology, jobs, new ways to party. Technology, jobs, new ways to party. Roaring Twenties (HR)—cars were more popular, people going more places. Movies became popular, political corruption was rampant, gangsters flourished because of illegal sale of alcohol. Roaring Twenties (HR)—cars were more popular, people going more places. Movies became popular, political corruption was rampant, gangsters flourished because of illegal sale of alcohol. People became less tolerant of foreigners and political dissent (non-democratic) People became less tolerant of foreigners and political dissent (non-democratic)

3. Literary Movement As always, what happens in the world affects literature. Two major characteristics of Modernist literature. As always, what happens in the world affects literature. Two major characteristics of Modernist literature. (1)Writers felt that the individual was being isolated and threatened by mass society (outcast by the larger group). Writers of the time could see the materialism and prosperity of the age crowding out the human spirit. (1)Writers felt that the individual was being isolated and threatened by mass society (outcast by the larger group). Writers of the time could see the materialism and prosperity of the age crowding out the human spirit. Ezra Pound inspired writers with the rallying cry, “Make it new!”. Ezra Pound inspired writers with the rallying cry, “Make it new!”. Hemingway, Richard Wright, T.S. Eliot, Robert Frost, Picasso, Matisse, Duchamp, etc. Hemingway, Richard Wright, T.S. Eliot, Robert Frost, Picasso, Matisse, Duchamp, etc.

4. Literary Movement (2) Experimentation was a second characteristic of Modernism (2) Experimentation was a second characteristic of Modernism Stream-of-consciousness became a form of fictional technique Stream-of-consciousness became a form of fictional technique The inner thoughts of characters, the tendency of thoughts to jump from one thing to another, were recorded. The inner thoughts of characters, the tendency of thoughts to jump from one thing to another, were recorded. Modernists are most notable for what they leave out of their writing than for what they leave in Modernists are most notable for what they leave out of their writing than for what they leave in reader left alone to decipher what is going on in a story or a poem and what a character is feeling or thinking. reader left alone to decipher what is going on in a story or a poem and what a character is feeling or thinking. Puts more demands on the reader to truly understand the character Puts more demands on the reader to truly understand the character

5. Rebirth of American Literature and Art Harlem Renaissance Harlem Renaissance Took place from circa 1920-1935 Took place from circa 1920-1935 KKK membership was peaking (at 4 million nationwide) KKK membership was peaking (at 4 million nationwide) WWI had impacted the globe WWI had impacted the globe Because of shortage of European immigrant workers, jobs were becoming available in cities and harbors of urban areas Because of shortage of European immigrant workers, jobs were becoming available in cities and harbors of urban areas Flood of African Americans poured in from the South to take these jobs; were also fleeing racial violence, poverty. Flood of African Americans poured in from the South to take these jobs; were also fleeing racial violence, poverty. Large plots of land were bought up by wealthy blacks in NY Harlem. This caused an exodus of white folks, so real estate got cheap very quick. Large plots of land were bought up by wealthy blacks in NY Harlem. This caused an exodus of white folks, so real estate got cheap very quick.

6. Rebirth, Cont’d Birth of jazz sweeping the nation; Harlem had become the hot spot for both blacks and whites. Night clubs like the Cotton Club were hugely successful. Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, etc. were busy creating music. Called the time of the “New Negro” Birth of jazz sweeping the nation; Harlem had become the hot spot for both blacks and whites. Night clubs like the Cotton Club were hugely successful. Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, etc. were busy creating music. Called the time of the “New Negro” Era produced a huge amount of literature, mainly African-American. Were finally developing a pride in their race and asserting its contributions to American culture. Also inspired others. Era produced a huge amount of literature, mainly African-American. Were finally developing a pride in their race and asserting its contributions to American culture. Also inspired others.

7. Cont’d Helped to establish strong African-American culture and make it known and celebrated. Helped to establish strong African-American culture and make it known and celebrated. Modern results: Country music, Rap, Rhythm and Blues, etc. Modern results: Country music, Rap, Rhythm and Blues, etc. Great Depression of the 1930’s brought end to HR. Great Depression of the 1930’s brought end to HR. Many of writers had to find work to support themselves, but what they did before sewed seeds that continue to grow. Many of writers had to find work to support themselves, but what they did before sewed seeds that continue to grow.

8. Modernism Top 5 Your voice has lost innocence, optimism, and you are more aware of limitations Your idealism has turned to cynicism You have begun to question the country’s tradition and authority Achieving the American dream is unlikely You have a strong desire to “make it new”