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Characteristics of Modernism

The document discusses the key features and characteristics of literary modernism. It notes that modernism emerged in the early 20th century as a break from tradition in response to events like World War I and increasing industrialization. Some of the main characteristics of modernist literature discussed include [1] individualism and a focus on the inner self, [2] experimentation with form and style through techniques like stream of consciousness, [3] a sense of absurdity reflecting the changing world, and [4] symbolism over direct statements. The structure of modernist works also differed through more open-ended plots, ambiguous characters, and abandonment of traditional literary forms.

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Bilal Raza
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858 views5 pages

Characteristics of Modernism

The document discusses the key features and characteristics of literary modernism. It notes that modernism emerged in the early 20th century as a break from tradition in response to events like World War I and increasing industrialization. Some of the main characteristics of modernist literature discussed include [1] individualism and a focus on the inner self, [2] experimentation with form and style through techniques like stream of consciousness, [3] a sense of absurdity reflecting the changing world, and [4] symbolism over direct statements. The structure of modernist works also differed through more open-ended plots, ambiguous characters, and abandonment of traditional literary forms.

Uploaded by

Bilal Raza
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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UNIVERSITY OF MIANWALI

Subject: Literary Criticism


Submitted to: Sir Tariq Usman
Submitted by: Bilal Raza
Roll No: BENF17ME127
Department: English
Semester: Bs.6th (SS)

Features of literary Modernism


The Modernist period in English Literature occupied the years from
shortly after the beginning of the 20th century. The Modernist period was
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marked by a strong and international break with tradition. This break
includes a strong reaction against established religious, political and social
views. Moreover, the thoughts that influenced this form of literature were
influenced by Sigmund Freud and Charles Darwin. Modernist literature
came into its own due to increasing industrialization and globalization.
New technology and the horrifying events of both world wars made many
people question the future of humanity: what was becoming of the world?
Writers reacted to this question by turning toward Modernist sentiment. In
other words, Modernism seeks to find new forms of expression and rejects
traditional or accepted ideas.
The Main Characteristics of Modern Literature:
The characteristics of the Modern Literature can be categorized into
Individualism, Experimentation, Symbolism, Absurdity and Formalism.
1-Individualism:
In Modern Literature, the individual is more interesting than society. The
Modern writers presented the world or society as a challenge to the
integrity of their characters. Ernest Hemingway is especially remembered
for vivid characters who accepted their circumstances at free value.
2-Experimentation
Modernist writers broke free of old forms and techniques. Poets
abandoned traditional rhyme schemes and wrote in free verse. Novelists
defied all expectations. Writers mixed images from the past with modern
languages and themes, creating a collage of styles. The inner workings of
consciousness were a common subject for modernists. This preoccupation
led to a form of narration called stream of consciousness. Authors James
Joyce and Virginia Woolf, along with poets T.S. Eliot and Ezra Pound, are
well known for their experimental Modernist works.
3-Absurdity
The carnage of two World Wars profoundly affected writers of the period.
Several great English poets died or were wounded in WWI. For many
writers, the world was becoming a more absurd place every day.
Modernist authors depicted this absurdity in their works.
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4-Symbolism
The Modernist writers infused objects, people, places and events with
significant meanings. The idea of a poem as a riddle to be cracked had its
beginnings in the Modernist period. Symbolism was not a new concept in
literature, but the Modernists' particular use of symbols was an innovation.
They left much more to the reader's imagination than earlier writers.
5-Formalism
Writers of the Modernist period saw literature more as a craft than a
flowering of creativity. The idea of literature as craft fed the Modernists'
desire for creativity and originality. Modernist poetry often includes
foreign languages, dense vocabulary and invented words.

Other Characteristics of Modern Literature:

1-In contrast to the Romantic world view, the Modernist writers care little
for nature.

2-In their literary works, The Modernist writers were interested in deeper
reality than surface reality.

3-In other words, there was a less emphasis on art's reflection of external
reality.

4-Most of the literary works of the Modern Age were influenced by the
disillusionment that came after the World War II.

5-Irony, satire and comparisons are used frequently to illustrate points in


regard to society.

6-Modern Literature with its modern themes and techniques appeared as a


reaction against the Victorian Age with its restrictions and traditions.

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7-There is no such thing as absolute truth. All things are relative.

8-According to the Modernists, life is unordered.

9-language is seen as complex.

10-Modernist fiction spoke of inner self and consciousness, and many


writers of that age adapted the stream of consciousness technique in their
writings, such as James Joyce in his literary work: Ulysses.

11-Instead of progress, the Modernist writer saw a decline of civilization.

12-whereas earlier, most literature had a clear beginning, middle, and end
(or introduction, conflict, and resolution), the Modernist story was often a
more of a stream of consciousness.

 Modernism and the structure of the literary works:

1-chracter:
A disappearance of character summary. This is clear in Dickens' literary
works such as Great Expectations.

2-plot:
Most of the plots of the Modern literature are different from that of the
ancient works. The Modernists did not use plots with sudden climactic
turning points and clear resolutions. Instead they used plots with open
unresolved endings.

3-Style:
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In their literary works, The Modernist writers adapted the stream of
conscious technique. Virginia Woolf and James Joyce are regarded as the
master of using this literary technique in writing.

Finally, Modernism also abandoned one of the most fundamental types of


character: the hero. What constitutes heroism has always aroused debate.
The typical protagonist of modernism having lost faith in society, religion
and the surrounding environment, seem also to have lost any claim to
heroic action.

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