Modernism 1914 1939 The Driving Forces WWI War

Modernism 1914 -1939

The Driving Forces • WWI – War on such a large scale had not been seen like this. • Over 50 million casualties were thought to have been accumulated by the time peace finally came in 1918 • The War changed economics and warfare worldwide and led several countries into monetary and social crisis • The US, however, enjoyed a time of increased prosperity and prestige following the War.

Women’s Rights • Proceeding and following the War, women began an earnest campaign for suffrage (the right to vote), which was not granted until 1920 • Women were beginning to take a hold in more aspects of life, especially the workplace. This began during the War when women were needed to fill voids left by men who were off fighting the War.

The Great Depression, 1929 • Following a decade of decadence and excess, America suffered its greatest period of economical despair • Jobs became very hard to come by, and many resorted to crime and slumming to provide everyday necessities. Some actually lived in large communities in tents (Hoovertowns/Hoovervilles) • The Great Plains suffered the greatest, as an unparalleled drought hit them and was made worse by poor farming practices.

Characteristics • Modernism is characterized and categorized by many different markers. • Writers sought to redefine American after the effects of the War • Writers were looking to expose what is distinctly American, from the suffering to the “feel good” times; they wanted to do away with all the old ideas, and bring in new ones.

Continued • To do this, many writers sought to convey emotion by telling precisely what the characters did and thought • This led to new techniques, such as stream of consciousness, where the writer meanders through the characters’ thoughts • The also led to two distance styles of writing: long flowing phrases and sentences, and choppy, precise sentences.

Continued • For most Modernists, the purpose of their writing was to create a clear picture in the minds of their readers. • They felt that ambiguity was needless, and much of the work is considered Minimalist • The differences developing in America led to a greater variety in writing topics and emotional conveyances