1. Postmodernism (1950 - Present) Allows for multiple meanings and multiple words. Allows for multiple meanings and multiple words. Structures works in nontraditional forms. Structures works in nontraditional forms. Comments upon itself. Comments upon itself. Features cultural diversity. Features cultural diversity. Blends and overlaps fiction and nonfiction. Blends and overlaps fiction and nonfiction. Uses the past fearlessly. Uses the past fearlessly.

2. Postmodernism Salinger Salinger Angelou Angelou Ginsberg Ginsberg Harjo Harjo Soto Soto N. Scott Momaday N. Scott Momaday Gallows humor Gallows humor New Journalism/Literary Journalism New Journalism/Literary Journalism The Beat poets/generation The Beat poets/generation Confessional School Confessional School

3. Southern Writers Influenced by William Faulkner. Influenced by William Faulkner. Leading: Flannery O’Conner Leading: Flannery O’Conner Increased quantity and quality of writing during the period between the two World Wars. Increased quantity and quality of writing during the period between the two World Wars. Detailed customs/society of the American South in rich detail. Detailed customs/society of the American South in rich detail.

4. Post-War Writers Combined absurdity, dark humor, and grim fantasy into their work. Combined absurdity, dark humor, and grim fantasy into their work. Example: Kurt Vonnegut Jr. Example: Kurt Vonnegut Jr. Atomic bomb and arms race (militarism) pushed authors in the direction of this black humor combined with a surrealism/fantasy based story. Atomic bomb and arms race (militarism) pushed authors in the direction of this black humor combined with a surrealism/fantasy based story. Blended fiction/nonfiction. Blended fiction/nonfiction.

5. Poets Many followed traditional forms but became for “confessional” – shared intimate information. Strong impact on readers and form of poetry. Many followed traditional forms but became for “confessional” – shared intimate information. Strong impact on readers and form of poetry. Influenced by W.C. Williams, poets such as Allen Ginsberg played with form, style and performance of poetry. Influenced by W.C. Williams, poets such as Allen Ginsberg played with form, style and performance of poetry. Poems and art became more fluid and could “change” with the artist’s renditions. Poems and art became more fluid and could “change” with the artist’s renditions.

6. Diversity Different perspectives: ethnic backgrounds/race, life experiences, gender, sexual orientation, age, etc… Different perspectives: ethnic backgrounds/race, life experiences, gender, sexual orientation, age, etc… Strength in diversity…seeds of past (literature), grow in the present and future (literary tradition and writers). Strength in diversity…seeds of past (literature), grow in the present and future (literary tradition and writers). Change in the future of literature and its forms is unpredictable. Change in the future of literature and its forms is unpredictable.

7. Questions 1) How is postmodernism different from modernism? Explain. 2) Explain “confessional” poetry? Examples of writers? How did this affect postmodernist writing? 3) Why has the blending of fiction/nonfiction in writing caused controversy? Explain. 4) Explain some ways that literary forms have changed in past ten years (since this text was written). Why have these changes occurred?

8. Questions 5) How and why does language (such as English) evolve? 6) Identify the word parts and original language of the following computer terms: home page, inkjet, and laptop. Example: Camcorder – Combination of “camera” from Latin word for “vault”; and “recorder” which is Latin word for “remember.”

9. Journal #2: Diversity What is “diversity?” Explain. What are the positive and negative aspects of living in a diverse culture? Explain. If you had a choice, would you rather live in a place that has a lot of diversity or very little diversity? Why? What is “diversity?” Explain. What are the positive and negative aspects of living in a diverse culture? Explain. If you had a choice, would you rather live in a place that has a lot of diversity or very little diversity? Why?