Modernism Review & Connections to Hemingway

1. Modernism Review &Connections to Hemingway

2. Historical Context • World War I (1914-1919) • Directly affected Hemingway who served as a Red Cross ambulance driver • Witnessed loss of life and loss of faith • Lost Generation • Disillusioned with American culture, moved to Paris • The Roaring Twenties • The Great Depression (1929-late 1930’s) • Loss of “American Dream”

3. Modernism • Hemingway writes as a part of the Modernist movement. • Modernism began in Europe as a response to the disillusionment of World War I. • Modernist themes include escape, disillusionment, and isolation.

4. Escape • Hemingway, as well as other Modernists, wrote about the theme of escape. • Man must find something to distract himself from the reality of the world. • This theme of escape is often represented through drinking. • Religion did not typically serve as this escape!

5. Disillusionment • Being free from false illusions or naïve faith; disenchanted • Loss of a sense of optimism • World War I brought about much disillusionment as people could not avoid the harsh realities of life and loss. People were not sure what to believe and could not convince themselves of a happy reality.

6. Isolation • Sense of loss, despair, and loneliness • Alienation and being “in the dark” • Withdrawn characters who feel a sense of nothingness • Represents loss of life in World War I and growing sense of despair during Great Depression

7. Hemingway Hero • Man of action (warrior, tough competitor) • Has a code of honor, courage, & endurance • He shows “grace under pressure” • He has thorough disillusionment-at the mysterious center of the universe lay nothing at all-this is Hemingway’s own philosophy. • Belief in self: decency, bravery, competence, and skillfulness.