Modernism and Colonialism in British Literature

A literary movement that emerged in Britain between 1890 and 1940, characterized by new ways of writing to reflect the rapid changes and uncertainties of the modern world.

A writing technique that mimics the flow of thoughts, jumping between past, present, and future, reflecting the fragmented nature of human consciousness.

A period of intense European competition to colonize and exploit resources in Africa, primarily between 1881 and 1914.

A novel by Joseph Conrad published in 1899, which depicts the brutal realities of colonialism in the Congo and its impact on both the colonizers and the colonized.

A diplomatic meeting held in Berlin in 1884-1885 where European powers divided Africa among themselves without consulting African people.

A period of drastic change and societal upheaval in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, marked by rapid technological advancements, widespread disillusionment, and questioning of traditional beliefs.

Authors like Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, and T.S. Eliot who explored the complexities of modern life through innovative writing techniques.

The exploitation of native people and resources in Africa during the Scramble for Africa.

The abundant presence of diamonds and gold in South Africa, which fueled the European desire to colonize the region.

The systematic colonization of Africa by European powers by 1914, leading to the dominance of European economies and leaving behind a legacy of exploitation and inequality.

A period of significant change and upheaval in the early 20th century. Characterized by widespread disillusionment, skepticism towards traditional values, and a questioning of established institutions like religion.

A movement that emphasized the importance of individual expression, experimentation, and challenging traditional norms in art, literature, and other areas. It embraced themes like individualism, alienation, and the fragility of human existence.

A major literary movement in the wake of World War I. Known for its fragmentation, stream-of-consciousness writing, and questioning of objective reality. It embraced themes like disillusionment, alienation, and the search for meaning in a fragmented world.

The decline of the British Empire after World War I as a result of various factors, including the war's devastating impact, growing nationalism in colonized territories, and a changing global power dynamic.

The term refers to the historical period after colonialism. For example, India after 1947 when British rule ended.

A broader area of study and cultural theory focusing on the broader impact of colonialism. It investigates the effects of colonialism on cultures and societies, including the writings of people resisting colonial rule.

The period following World War II, characterized by radical social and political changes, as well as a shift in artistic and intellectual thought. It embraced themes like fragmentation, postmodernism, and the questioning of grand narratives.

A movement that embraced the questioning of universal truths, rejecting traditional notions of authority and seeking to deconstruct existing structures. It emphasized the subjective nature of reality and the blurring of boundaries between art and life.

The economic downturn that followed the Wall Street Crash of 1929. It led to widespread unemployment, poverty, and social unrest across the globe, impacting both America and the British Empire.

The Second Boer War was a conflict between the British Empire and Dutch settlers in South Africa who were known as Boers. The British wanted control of South Africa's gold mines and to expand their empire, but the Boers utilized guerrilla warfare tactics, making the war difficult for the British to win.

Guerrilla warfare is a form of irregular warfare where small groups of combatants, often civilians, use hit-and-run tactics and sabotage against a larger, more conventional army.

Rudyard Kipling was a British author known for "The Jungle Book". Initially, he celebrated the British Empire in his writing but after the hardship of the Boer War, his views on imperialism shifted.

World War I, also known as the Great War, involved major European powers divided into two main alliances: the Allies (Britain, France, Russia, and later the US) and the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire). The war was sparked by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria.

Fragmentation is a literary technique where a text lacks a clear linear structure and often jumps between different times, places, and perspectives, reflecting the fragmented nature of modern life.

Alienation is a feeling of detachment and estrangement from society. It is a key theme in Modernist literature where characters often feel disconnected from others and the world around them.

T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land" is a classic example of Modernist poetry. It reflects the fragmentation and alienation of the post-World War I era through its fragmented structure, multiple voices, and historical allusions.

The rise of new technologies like machine guns, tanks, and airplanes during World War I led to unprecedented levels of destruction and casualties, shattering traditional notions of warfare.

With men away at war, women stepped into roles traditionally held by men, working in factories, offices, and farms, demonstrating their capabilities and paving the way for women's suffrage.