The Modern Period 1914 1945 AND ITS IMPACT

The Modern Period… 1914 -1945 AND ITS IMPACT ON AMERICAN LITERATURE

n MODERNISM--characteristics n n called for bold experimentation a rejection of traditional themes and styles such as: n n n Writers begin to question authority n n Morality: Rise in Sexual Promiscuity; Introduction of Birth Control; Fashion: Short skirts, bobbed hair, “Flapper” look Language: Rise in usage of slang, not only in everyday speech, but in literature as well Tone (attitude toward life in America and American Dream) is cynical (bitter, hopeless) and ironic (contrasting the way life should be with what it was) n the American Dream—Americans rejected the notion that anyone, despite their circumstances of birth, could achieve their full potential

n Three Central Ideas 1. Admiration for America as a “New Eden” n 2. Optimism and Opportunity: justified by progress of Industrial Revolution and ever-expanding opportunities in America n 3. Land of Beauty, Bounty, Unlimited Promise Americans believed in progress—life will just keep getting better Importance and ultimate triumph of the individual n Independent, self-reliant individual—Based on Franklin and Emersonian beliefs Modernism contrasted the promise America offered with the disappointment when the reality did not live up to

What destroys America’s faith in the Dream? n n n The stock market crash of 1929 and Depression of 1930 s Dustbowl Era (1930 s)—severe drought and soil erosion affected 100 million acres of land led to the mass migration of 2. 5 million people out of the Great Plains states WWI—emphasized the unimportance of individual life and the destructive nature of mankind Prohibition—gives rise to bootleggers, speakeasies, looser moral codes in the younger generation Rise of Socialism/Communism further reinforces the unimportance of the individual

n Style and Theme n Theme: Modern writers challenged the American Dream by asking for the meaning and purpose of human life. n n Style: Stream of consciousness: a style of writing that portrays the inner (and often chaotic) workings of a characters mind n n n Themes are often expressed indirectly in Modern Literature—the reader is expected to work and think while reading abandoned ordered time attempted to imitate the moment by moment flow of thoughts and ideas Style: Plain Style (Journalism/News Style) n n n Return to simple sentences and clarity of expression Use of slang and common language Lack of figurative language—metaphors, similes, flowery imagery

n Content: New Modern Heroes man of action (warrior or competitor) n has a code of honor, courage, and endurance n n n Based on his own philosophy, not on what society tells him is morally right thoroughly disillusioned—believes in nothing at all n Has lost faith in America, the American Dream, and usually himself