20th Century Literature Quiz

The Bipartite Division in 20th-Century Euro-American Literature

• The 20th-century Euro-American literature tradition is often divided into two periods: Modernism and Postmodernism.
• While Modernism encompasses the early 20th century, Postmodernism starts from the mid-20th century.
• The two are distinct in terms of their literary aesthetics and philosophical underpinnings.
• The rule of thumb is that Modernist literature is predominantly characterized by authors writing between World War I and World War II (1914-1945).
• Postmodernism would be characterized by authors writing after World War II.
• The term “postmodern” is generally applied to literature produced after the 1960s.

Modernist and Postmodernist Literature

• Both Modernist and Postmodernist authors have been at the forefront of literary development in their respective periods.
• While some consider Modernist authors as the pioneers of literary innovation and experimentation, Postmodernist authors have continued to push the boundaries of the literary tradition.

Spread of Literary Ideas

• The rapid spread of European literary ideas beyond Europe was facilitated by factors like globalization and technological advancements.
• Increased communication and interaction between cultures allowed for the exchange and dissemination of literary ideas and movements.

Test your knowledge of 20th century literature with this quiz! Explore the Modernist and Postmodernist periods, key authors, and iconic works. See how well you know the literature that shaped the 20th century.