Modernism- In the Literature Period

The modern age is another term for modernism. It flourished in the twentieth century. It is opposite to the Victorian era. It is a response to World War One. It is also known as the Age of War and the Age of depression.

1. Major works: Poetry, short stories, and novels were the movement’s works.
2. Discoveries: There have been several discoveries in the fields of science, psychology, painting, architecture, and art.
3. Class Difference: Between the rich and the poor, there is a significant class divide.
4. Cultural Values and Beliefs: Everything in this movement, including cultural values and beliefs, was questioned. Even God’s existence has been challenged.
5. Vote: For the first time in history, women were given the right to vote in this movement.
6. Art: Modernism was the first artistic movement.

Imagism:

Modernism is the forerunner of Imagism. It was founded in 1912. It is regarded as the modern poetry grammar school. Poetry and short stories are the main works of Imagism. They are described in simple English. Ezra Pound, Hilda Doolittle, Amy Lowell, and William Carlos were among the prominent poets.

SYMBOLISM:

Symbolism is not a new concept, but it is a modernist innovation. In “To the Lighthouse,” for example, Virginia Woolf used symbolism like symbols a window, which represents a flaw in understanding, and a lighthouse, which represents strength, bravery, and majesty.

Major Figures of This Movement:

1. James Joyce:

James Joyce was an Irish novelist who came up with the term “anti-hero” in literature. Ulysses, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man are famous works. He used a technique known as “stream of consciousness.”

2. Virginia Woolf:

Virginia was a novelist who focused on novels. She is also renowned as a feminist because she pushed for women’s rights in her writings, and also publishes an essay in which she discusses women’s professions. She uses the technique of stream of consciousness in literary work.

3. Ezra Pound:

Poet Ezra Pound wrote poetry. He gave the theory to make it new. In a Metro Station, The Cantos, and Abc of Reading are some of his literary works.

Features of Modernism:

1. In modernism, poets write about new subjects and issues. Something new and unique should be written.
2. There was an industrial revolution, as well as technological advancements.
3. In the literary work, stream of consciousness techniques was utilized.
4. An inner monologue was used.
5. In literary work, there was no chronological order.
6. Cultural values and beliefs have changed.
7. Care for nature.
8. It distinguishes new literary forms, concepts, and styles.

To conclude, the literary movement modernism has discussed in this article in which there is development in every field. Its work differs from those of past literary works. It positively affects literary writing.