Lesson 4

Modernism and
Postmodernism
(1920–Present)
 1 Identify the
characteristics of
European literature
(EN12Lit-IIb-32);
Learning Distinguish the
Competencie 2 differences between
s works of literature from
different literary
periods (EN12Lit-IId-
25); and
Demonstrate
3 understanding of the
evolution of European
literature (EN12Lit-IIc-
 Objectives

● identify the features of Modernist and

Postmodernist literature; and
● explain the influence of Modernism and
Postmodernism in today’s literature.
 Essential Question

How does literary technique affect the perception

of literary texts?
 Warm Up!
Think-Pair-Share
1. Find a partner.
2. Research about the key events during and after World War
I and World War II.
3. Fill out the table below as you compare the ideas and
impact of both World Wars in society.
World War I World War II
 Vocabulary Words
imperturbable (adjective) - follies (noun) - foolish acts; the lack
1 extremely calm; difficult to disturb
3 of good judgment

The jury’s imperturbable stance My friend has committed multiple

during such chaotic situation is follies that would last him a lifetime.
amazing.
odorous (adjective) - has a strong
2 smell 4 garrulous (adjective) - very
talkative

Wrap the odorous fish with thick My seatmate is a garrulous one.

layers of old newspapers.

turnstile (noun) - a gate at the

entrance that only allows one person
5 at a time to enter
The management has added four
more turnstiles at the entrance so
that there will be less queues.
 Learn about It!

Modernism (early 1900s–1965)

● began in the early 20th century through roughly

1965
● marked by sudden changes in man’s perspective
of the world
● challenged the prevailing order during its time
and focused on experimentation while self-
consciously breaking away from traditional forms
 Learn about It!

Literary Techniques Invented during the

Modernist Era

● Imagism
● Stream of consciousness
● An unreliable narrator
Learn about It!

Postmodernism (1965–Present)

● shows a crisis of identity of the human being in

ethnicity and sexuality, as well as the struggle
for social and cultural acceptance in a
hypocritical society
● does not pretend to be new and original;
rather, juxtaposes the old and the new to
contextualize the literary text in the readers’
minds
Learn about It!

Characteristics of Postmodern Texts

● use of paradox or self-contradictory statement;

● use of fragmentation or incompleteness
whether in form or in content; and
● the unreliable narrator.
Learn about It!

Araby
James Joyce
 Learn about It!

Guide Questions
1. How would you describe the narrator throughout the
story?
2. How did his feelings toward the girl affect his thoughts
and actions?
3. If you were to continue the ending of the story, how
would you continue it?
4. If you were in the same situation as the boy, what
would you do about your disappointment and
frustration? Explain your answer.
5. What characteristics of Modernism are present in the
short story?
 Analysis

Read and analyze the following poem and answer

the questions that follow.

From the Saddle: S’Aubigne to Diane

Ezra Pound
 Analysis

Short Response Questions:

1. Who is the persona?

2. Who is the addressee?
3. What is the theme of the poem?
4. What elements of poetry are used in the selection?
5. What characteristics of Postmodernism are
exemplified in the poem?
 Analysis

Criteria Score
Content
(Focus on details/events are clearly evident; it is
clearly related to the topic.) 2 pts
Organization
(Logical progression of details/events; clear
transitions between ideas.) 2 pts
Language
(spelling, mechanics, grammar and usage) 1 pt
Score: /5
 Values Integration

Modernism and postmodernism is an era

where people break away from norms and
challenge them. With that in mind, what are
the norms and tradition that we have today
that you want to break away from or
challenge? Why and how?
 Synthesis

Modernism and Postmodernism in a

Nutshell

1. Form groups of three.

2. Discuss your understanding of Modernism and
Postmodernism.
3. On a ¼ white cartolina, you must create a graphic
representation that shows your understanding of the two
literary movements.
4. Share your insights about Modernism and
Postmodernism in a minute or two.
 Assignment

On a short bond paper, write a 400-to-500-

word essay about your preferred literary
era. Explain and justify your choice by citing
examples and other information about it.
Criteria Beginning Developing Accomplished Score
(1 point) (2 points) (3 points)
Content/ The content has no clear The content has a slightly The content has a clear
Substance introduction, body, and clear introduction, body, and introduction, body, and
conclusion. The conclusion. The preference conclusion. The preference
preference for a particular for a particular literary era is for a particular literary era is
literary era is not well- explained although lacks well-explained and cites
explained and does cite citation of appropriate appropriate examples and
appropriate examples and example/s and evidence for evidence for the justification
evidence for justification. the justification.
Organization The ideas have no smooth The ideas have smooth and The ideas have smooth and
and logical flow. Multiple logical flow. Most transitional logical flow. Transitional
or all transitional markers markers are used effectively markers are used effectively
are not used effectively to to show connections and to show connections and
show connections and transitions among ideas. transitions among ideas.
transitions among ideas.
The essay is difficult to
understand.

Unity There is no coherence in There is coherence in the There is coherence in the

the entire essay. most part of the essay. entire essay.
Language There are 6 or more errors There are 3 to 5 errors in There are 1 to 2 or no errors
(spelling, mechanics, in spelling, mechanics, spelling, mechanics, in spelling, mechanics,
grammar, and word grammar, and word grammar, and word choice. grammar, and word choice.
choice) choice.
Score: