Modern American Literary Contexts (Module 4)

Module 4: The Many American Modernisms and Beyond

• World War I Context and Impacts: The US entered another war, moving away from isolationism and becoming more international. Domestically, conservatism and American nationalism rose. Collective mentality emphasized American ideals and a sense of mission. Significant societal and cultural shifts followed, impacting landscapes and literature.

• 1920s: A Time of Paradox: The era was characterized by glamorous imagery ("Golden Twenties," "Roaring Twenties," "Jazz Age"). Economic prosperity fueled consumerism and technological advancements, impacting rural and urban areas alike. Technological innovations, like electricity, symbolized status. Celebrity culture, including sports, magazines, movies, and Hollywood thrived. A rise of the "new woman" witnessed increased independence, confidence, and sexual liberation. Urban areas grew dramatically, outpacing rural areas in size. However, there were also negative reactions to these changes – conservative backlash, xenophobia, racial tensions, immigration restrictions, religious fundamentalism, and a rising rise of crime. This period culminated in an economic crisis.

• Great Depression and New Deal (1930s): The 1929 stock market crash triggered a severe economic crisis that led to massive unemployment (25% in 1932). This drastic economic downturn impacted social and demographic perceptions. The New Deal, a series of government programs and policies led by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, created significant government involvement in the economy and American society.

American Modernism(s)

• Modernization vs. Modernity vs. Modernism: Modernization is the process of adapting to present needs. Modernity involves recognizing significant departure from past traditions and the ambiguity of the future. Modernism appears as a literary response to these changes – often both positive and negative.

• International Movement: Modernism was an international phenomenon, not just an American development.

• Urban/Metropolitan Focus: Modernist literature often centered on urban experiences, reflecting disillusionment and discontent prevalent in urban areas.

• Individuality, Subjectivity, and Multiperspectivism: Modernism emphasized individual perspectives, complex personal experiences, and multiple viewpoints.

• Subconscious Exploration: Writers explored the subconscious, reflecting complex psychological states.

American Modernist Poetry

• Gertrude Stein: A significant figure in postmodernism; advocated for a radical break from traditional poetic forms and sought new poetic expressions; her work reflected modern life.

• T.S. Eliot: Developed "impersonal poetry" and used the concept of "objective correlative" in his poetry.

• Ezra Pound: Represented international modernism; known for creating cosmopolitan poetry and advocacy of radical approaches, even with some controversial beliefs.

American Modernist Fiction

• Ernest Hemingway: Known for his "code hero" characters, his portrayal of hardship and the emotional and personal crisis caused by World War I, emphasizing stoicism.

• F. Scott Fitzgerald: Captured the "Roaring Twenties" era through characters struggling with a desire for prosperity and a disillusioning realization that their materialistic pursuit lacked meaning.

American Modernist Theatre

• Commercialized Theatre and Entertainment: Theatrical trends moved from melodrama to more experimental forms.

• Star Actors and Plays: The 1910s and 1920s witnessed prominent actors and performances.

• Broadway Theatre and Playwright Groups: Broadway became a major centre; theatrical groups and playwrights emerged who rejected commercialization.

Pluralisation

• Immigration and Cultural Diversity: The rise of mass immigration at the beginning of the 20th century triggered cultural diversity.

• Melting Pot versus Cultural Pluralism: The debate ensued between the melting pot ideology, where cultures blended into one American identity, and cultural pluralism that stressed the value of maintaining cultural differences while remaining part of American society.

• Randolph Bourne: Advocated for a transnational American identity and the importance of diversity.

• Horace M. Kallen: A prominent proponent of cultural pluralism.

The Harlem Renaissance

• Black Culture as American Culture: Harlem Renaissance countered claims that black culture was unimportant in American literature.

• Major Flourishing in the 1920s: This period in Harlem provided an important counter-narrative to traditional views of American culture.

• Key Figures: Key figures such as Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Alain Locke represented this movement's efforts.

• Political Activism: The fight for racial equality, and the exploration of common African American experiences in literary and artistic forms.

• Poetry and Prose: Creative literary and artistic expression reflected and challenged the perceptions of Black American experiences.