Modernism (1914-1945)

1. Modernism(1914-1945) By Fatima & Ravina

2. What is modernism? • Modernism is used to describe a movement of which was established during the 1900’s and refers to the act of, “thinking outside the box” thus evidently symbolising modern thinking. • It is also used to describe the start of leaning away from the more traditional teachings and aspects of art, architecture, literature and music.

3. What influenced Modernism? • As with any period in time there were multiple factors that changed the mindset of many people and the way things were perceived, this allowed them to develop as a collective and move forward from what would be suggested as being more ‘traditional’ ideologies.

4. Who was writing at that time?

5. The World Wars • People had witnessed and became aware the horrors and brutality of war, leading people to question how the world really was. • In terms of whether an almighty and benevolent being was really in existence. • Led to less theological thinking and more rational and logical thinking  This affected the mindset of people and allowed for a more broader range of thinking to be established. •  Structure of literature has since been changed.

6. Example of how literature has been influenced;Wilfred Owen “His hanging face, like a devil’s sick of sin, If you could hear at every jolt, the blood come gargling from the forth-corrupted lungs” • Extract from Dulce Et Decorum Est • It is apparent that literature had taken a dramatic turn, as exhibited by Wilfred Owen’s poetry of which is known predominately for it’s graphic detail and horrifying imagery. - It was becoming increasingly apparent that life was not sunshine and butterflies and this pessimistic frame of mind and way of thinking was becoming more and more common.

7. Main Themes • alienation • frustration • disillusionment • rejection of history • rejection of outdated social systems • Two World Wars' effects on humanity • People starting to question everything

8. “the love song of j. Alfred Prufrock” T.S Eliot

9. Analysis of modernism text • Written in the form of a dramatic monologue • Time frame – shows loneliness and frustration • Biblical reference – rejection of history • Past references to history • Less solid chunk of stanza, exploring different ways • Structure showing the build up of tension and then the small stanzas show the outbreak

10. industrialisation • Due to the world becoming more industrialised and revolutionised this had an impact on the way people thought • Less traditional methods were being used. For example, in terms of agriculture there would have been no point doing things manually as there was now machinery to take it’s place. • Led to people becoming more open to change this led to a drastic change in many things.

11. Modern Art

12. How did industrialisation affect literature? • Industrialisation largely affected the world and our way of life  The world was becoming far more developed and this was displayed through literature. • The huge growth in technology allowed people to become far more open-minded and adapt well to change and this aspect of being able to think in a more broad sense allowed people to also become self-conscious.

13. Sigmund Freud • This era had seen the rise of psychologists such as Sigmund Freud who is famous for his innovative approach to things. • He introduced the concept of Individualisation  Thinking in terms of being your own person as opposed to becoming part of a collectivist culture.

14. How did individualisation affect literature? • The ideology of individualisation led to the “stream of consciousness” literary technique being developed and writers had become more self-aware then they were previously and allows one to portray your own individual point of view.  Focuses on the character’s subconscious and conscience.

15. Old Possum’s book of practical cats The Rum TumTugger http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNCbharr18U • Shows the similarities between human and feline characteristics  exploring the human form  stream of consciousness.