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Contemporary/Postmodern Literature (1950-Present)

Contemporary/Postmodern Literature (1950-Present). Lit Book pg. 905. Major Events/Eras 1945 : the Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima brings in the Nuclear Age Mushroom cloud represents both the height of scientific ingenuity and its potential for total destruction

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Contemporary/Postmodern Literature (1950-Present)

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  1. Contemporary/Postmodern Literature(1950-Present) Lit Book pg. 905

  2. Major Events/Eras • 1945: the Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima brings in the Nuclear Age • Mushroom cloud represents both the height of scientific ingenuity and its potential for total destruction • 1960s: Vietnam war sharply divides the nation, causes American disillusionment (again) • 1970s: The Watergate Scandal and America’s Bicentennial sharply contrast disappointment and patriotism • 1980s: Regarded as the “Me Generation”; saw the end of the Cold War • Has the concept of theindividual been lost in the fast-paced, computerized world?

  3. Contemporary Fiction • Postmodernism: a term still being defined; sees contemporary culture as change from modernism • Postmodern writers allow for multiple meanings and multiple worlds • Postmodernists ask themselves, “Why choose one version? Why limit ourselves?” • Structured in nontraditional forms and does not follow conventional rules • Literature comments upon and critique itself; encourages readers to come up with their own interpretation • Contemporary fiction incredibly diverse, blends genres and time periods • Gallows Humor: ironic humor arising from acknowledging the absurd or grotesque

  4. Contemporary Nonfiction • Since the 1970s, nonfiction also considered art • Problems with nonfiction: • Traditional literary terms don’t apply • Ideas of accuracy and truth • New Journalism • Uses literary devices • Does not keep personal opinions/experiences out of writing Truman Capote Tom Wolfe Hunter S. Thompson

  5. Contemporary Poetry • Modernist poetry (impersonal and intellectual) declined after WWII • Poets felt the need to challenge 1950s culture of conformity • The Beat Poets • Focused on ideas of nonconformity and self expression (Howl by Allen Ginsberg) • Beat lifestyle included poetry, jazz, late night coffee houses • Places like San Francisco and Greenwich Village (NYC) I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness…

  6. Contemporary Poetry • Confessional School • Poets focused on their own private lives (unlike the Moderns) • Deals with personal experiences frankly and sometimes brutally • Overall, American poetry since the 1970s characterized by its diversity, reflecting growing diversity of American audiences

  7. Full Circle • Contemporary fiction still deals with universal themes as American Literature from the 1800s • Today’s literature takes influence from Transcendentalists, Dark Romantics…. and even the Puritans

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