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Modernism

Modernism. Literature of the early 20 th century. Decade defined by booming economy, jazz, and late night parties where people danced the Charleston 1919 = Prohibition Act passed, but did little to limit drinking Speakeasy = night club where people could drink illegally

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Modernism

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  1. Modernism Literature of the early 20th century

  2. Decade defined by booming economy, jazz, and late night parties where people danced the Charleston • 1919 = Prohibition Act passed, but did little to limit drinking • Speakeasy = night club where people could drink illegally • Rise of gangsters, such as Al Capone The Roaring Twenties

  3. Henry Ford’s assembly line enabled more cars to be produced at prices average people could afford • Radio allowed people across the country to tune into soap operas, comedies, sports, and music • 1927 = 1st full length “talking picture” movie • Movie attendance continued to grow in 20s and into the 30s Popular Culture

  4. Broke from tradition • Omitted standard beginnings, transitions, and endings to tell stories • Represented the complex ways people think • World War I • 10 million soldiers died = more than all wars in previous century • Caused many writers to question cultural traditions and the meaning of life What is Modernism?

  5. 1910-1940ish • Common themes of instability and loss • World War 1 • Interested in exploring the minds of characters • Emotional state • Psychology and motivation • Looked at inner workings of the mind and broke down traditional values Modern Writers

  6. Understatement: de-emphasizing the importance of people or events • Epiphany: moment of revelation • Significant moments that impact life • Stream of consciousness • Constant stream of thoughts through the mind without logic; free associations Modern Techniques

  7. Anti-heroes: characters engulfed by indecision • Central conflict is inside the character’s mind • Modern examples of the Anti-Hero: • Tyler Durden from Fight Club • Professor Snape from Harry Potter series • Batman from The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises • Holden Caulfield from Catcher in the Rye Modern Techniques

  8. Labeled by Gertrude Stein • Describes young people of the time who lost faith in US and didn’t know where to turn • Themes of change, indecision and broken attachments replace stability, love, and heroism “Lost Generation”

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