American Literature and Culture I PDF

American Literature and Culture I Lecture 1: Beginnings of American Literature and Culture Historical Context and Key Events Native Americans Old traditions, Stories, myths, and legends passed down to preserve culture and beliefs Example Text: Samson Occom's "A Short Narrative of My Life"...

American Literature and Culture I Lecture 1: Beginnings of American Literature and Culture Historical Context and Key Events Native Americans Old traditions, Stories, myths, and legends passed down to preserve culture and beliefs Example Text: Samson Occom's "A Short Narrative of My Life" (1768) ○ Occom was a Mohegan preacher and writer, one of the first Native American authors to publish in English ○ Explores the struggles of Native Americans with colonization and religious conversion Explorers and Settlers Explorers (1492): The "discovery" of the Americas by Columbus initiated European interest in the New World First Settlers (1607): Establishment of Jamestown, Virginia, the first permanent English settlement ○ Early accounts documented survival, interaction with Native Americans, and descriptions of the new land Example Text: John Smith's "A True Relation of Virginia" (1608) ○ A first-hand account of the struggles in Jamestown and Smith’s interaction with Pocahontas ○ Reflects early colonial attitudes and ambitions Puritans (1620 Onwards) 1618: Founding of Virginia as a major settlement point 1620: Arrival of the Pilgrims on the Mayflower → Plymouth Colony 1630: The Great Migration → Founding of Salem and Boston, these migrations shaped the religious and political identity of early American society Nation State Formation 1776: Declaration of Independence → Assertion of a new national identity 1783: Treaty of Paris → Official recognition of the United States as independent Puritanism and Its Literary Legacy Core Beliefs Covenant Theology = agreement with God to live morally and collectively as a "chosen" community American Exceptionalism = belief that America has a unique, divine purpose ("city on a hill" Predestination: Salvation or damnation predetermined by God, irrespective of human actions Work Ethic: Stemming from Protestant values, emphasized diligence and morality in labor Typology A literary strategy that interprets present events as extensions or repetitions of Biblical narratives Example: The Puritans likened their journey to the Americas to the Exodus of the Israelites Helped justify their colonization efforts as fulfilling a divine mission frequently employed in Puritan sermons and narratives Plain Style  A straightforward writing style that avoided ornate language to focus on clarity and religious humility Example: John Winthrop's "A Model of Christian Charity" employs plain style to outline communal responsibilities Jeremiad A sermon or text combining lamentation, moral admonition, and a hopeful call for renewal Key Elements: ○ Lament: Mourning societal decline or moral failure ○ Admonition: A warning to return to God’s path ○ Vision: A hopeful promise of restoration if faith is renewed Sacvan Bercovitch, The American Jeremiad (1978) Key Puritan Writers and Texts John Winthrop “A Model of Christian Charity" (1630): Defines the Puritan community as a "city on a hill," a moral example for the world, emphasizes unity, charity, and collective responsibility under God’s covenant. William Bradford "Of Plymouth Plantation" (1620–1647): Chronicles the Pilgrims' journey and settlement in Plymouth, highlights themes of divine providence and communal hardship Edward Taylor "Preparatory Meditations" (1682–1725): A collection of devotional poems reflecting deep spiritual introspection, combines complex metaphors with plain style Cotton Mather "Magnalia Christi Americana" (1702): Documents the religious and historical development of New England, celebrates Puritan achievements but also critiques moral lapses Jonathan Edwards "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" (1741): A fire-and-brimstone sermon warning of eternal damnation, uses vivid imagery to evoke fear and inspire repentance Additonal Notable Texts and Authors Anne Bradstreet The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America (1650): The first published work by an American woman, showcases Puritan humility, family devotion, and poetic skill "To My Dear and Loving Husband" (1678): deeply personal poem blending romantic love with spiritual gratitude Mary Rowlandson “Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson" (1682): Recounts her abduction during King Philip’s War and eventual release, reflects themes of faith, endurance, and divine providence Phillis Wheatley Early African American poet who: ○ employed iambic pentameter and heroic couplets ○ merged neoclassical form with themes of freedom, Christianity, and human dignity Lecture 2: Independence and Early Republic Historical Periods and Themes Puritanism to Enlightenment Puritan Influences: Focus on religion, community, and divine purpose, transition to Enlightenment brought emphasis on individualism and rationality. ⇒ Benjamin Franklin’s Contributions: Poor Richard’s Almanack (1732–1758): ○ Famous sayings: "Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." "There are no gains without pains." ○ Emphasized practical wisdom and self-reliance The Way to Wealth (1758): A summary of Franklin’s proverbs promoting hard work and thrift Autobiography (1791): Key Themes: ○ Utilitarianism: Practical knowledge for self-improvement ○ Individualism: Self-made success ○ Rational judgment and natural rights as Enlightenment ideals Neoclassical Influence: focused on symmetry, order, and the use of heroic couplets (e.g. iambic parameter) A National Culture Historical Milestones 1775: Battle of Concord and Lexington 1776: Declaration of Independence 1783: Treaty of Paris ends the Revolutionary War 1787/88: U.S. Constitution ratified Cultural Foundations “Imagined Community”: concept from Benedict Anderson, a shared identity fostered by culture and language → The American Spelling Book (1786) & An American Dictionary of the English Language (1828) Art and Literature Thomas Cole: River in the Catskills (1843): Representative of the Hudson River School, emphasizing the American landscape R.W.B. Lewis: Concept of the "American Adam": A new, self-reliant individual free from European tradition A National Literature Joel Barlow: Vision of Columbus (1787): Celebratory epic of America’s founding Charles Brockden Brown: Wieland (1798) and Edgar Huntly (1799): Early gothic novels exploring psychological and supernatural themes William Cullen Bryant: ○ “Thanatopsis” (1817): Reflective meditation on death and nature ○ “The Prairies” (1832): Celebrates the vast American landscapes ○ → Comparision to Wordsworth’s Tintern Abbey (1789): Both explore themes of nature’s impact on the human spirit Westward Movement Manifest Destiny The belief that Americans were destined to expand across the continent James Fenimore Cooper  Known for the Leatherstocking Tales, which explore the frontier spirit: ○ The Pioneers (1823): Natty Bumppo in his 70s, reflecting on wilderness survival ○ The Last of the Mohicans (1826): Set during the French and Indian War, relationship between settlers and Native Americans ○ The Prairie (1827): An aging Bumppo experiences the declining frontier ○ The Pathfinder (1840) and The Deerslayer (1841): Stories of Bumppo’s earlier years ○ Key Characters: Natty Bumppo (Leatherstocking): Embodiment of frontier values, Chingachgook: A Native American Character symbolising the noble savage Exploration and Naming John Smith’s A Map of Virginia (1612): Virginia’s boundaries (East: Great Ocean, South: Florida, North: Nova Francia, West: “Limits unknown” Introduces the idea of America as a "dreamscape" full of possibilities and challenges, potential English stronghold Establishes foundational acts of naming and mapping as tools of colonization Contrasts the bounded East, South, and North with the limitless West, symbolizing opportunity and expansion Colonial Ideologies and Writing William Bradford’s Of Plymouth Plantation Balances religious typology with practical realities, reflects dependency on Native knowledge for survival and agricultural success. Reflects dependency on Native knowledge for survival and agricultural success e.g. Discovery of Native corn is interpreted as divine providence but is complemented by acknowledgment of later restitution to Native Americans. Later sections adopt a jeremiad tone, lamenting spiritual decline as the colony prospers materially Anne Hutchinson’s Influence antinomian rebellion (1636) highlighted tensions between individual spiritual justification and communal law, served as a precursor for later themes of religious radicalism & personal faith in American literature Evangelical Revivals and the Great Awakening (1730s-1740s) Key Features Prominent figures: George Whitefield, Gilbert Tennent, Jonathan Edwards Emphasized personal, transformative spiritual experiences Challenged traditional religious hierarchies, promoting direct access to grace Impact Created a trans-colonial public sphere, setting the stage for collective action (e.g., the American Revolution) Expanded participation of marginalized groups (women, African Americans, Native Americans) Influenced abolitionist rhetoric and 19th-century sentimental literature like Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1852) Revolutionary Literature (1730-1830) Political Ideologies and Texts Thomas Paine’s Common Sense (1776): Advocated for independence with language resonating with evangelical enthusiasm  The Federalist Papers (1787-1788): Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay (as "Publius") ○ advocated an "extended republic" where competition among interests ensures stability ○ introduced checks and balances to national governance ○ conceptualised the U.S. as an “imagined community” built on media and shared narratives Post-Revolutionary Writing Shift in Focus: transitioned from religious themes to issues of governance, representation & identity The Northwest Ordinance (1787): new territories as future states, rejecting the colonial expansion model Lecture 3: The Invention of the Short Story Fictional Writing in the Early Republic Patriotic and Sentimental Literature William Hill Brown’s The Power of Sympathy (1789): first American novel; focused on morality & sentimental themes Susanna Rowson’s Charlotte Temple (1791): female virtue and “republican motherhood” Hannah Webster Foster’s The Coquette (1797): conflicting desires and republican ideals through an epistolary format The Gothic Turn Charles Brockden Brown’s Novels: Wieland (1789), Arthur Mervyn (1799), Edgar Huntly (1799), Psychological turmoil & the unreliability of perception, darker undercurrents of American republicanism and social order Voices from the Parkins Slave Narratives Olaudah Equiano’s The Interesting Narrative (1789): combined evangelical spirituality with critique of the slave trade Native American Autobiographies William Apess’s A Son of the Forest (1829): Critiqued Andrew Jackson’s Indian Removal policy using Protestant rhetoric Women’s Rights Literature The Seneca Falls Declaration (1848): modeled after the Declaration of Independence, demanding female suffrage The Literary Marketplace (1826-1852) Growth of Print Culture Transition from oral to printed traditions From local storytelling to a national literary platform Rise of Magazines Key Publications: North American Review (1815–), Harper’s Monthly (1850–), Godey’s Lady’s Book (1830–1898), Burton’s Gentleman’s Magazine (1837–1840) Literary Forms in Circulation  Popular Genres: Sermons, Religious narratives, captivity narratives, histories & biographies, anecdotes/folk tales/fairy tales/travel reports The Emergence of a Genre: The Short Story Washington Irving (1783-1859) Pioneered the short story as a distinct genre Notable Works: ○ The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. (1819–1820): “Rip Van Winkle”: a tale of a man who sleeps through the American Revolution “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”: humorous/gothic story involving the Headless Horseman ○ A History of New York (1809, as Diedrich Knickerbocker) Characteristics of the Short Story Combined elements of older genres (e.g., sermons, biographies, fairy tales) Enhanced focus on: Plot, Character Development, Techniques like suspense and atmosphere Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) Innovator of modern short story forms Contributions: ○ The Detective Fiction: “The Murders in the Rue Morgue”, “The Purloined Letter” ○ Science Fiction: “The Balloon-Hoax”, “The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar” ○ Dark Romanticism & Gothic Fiction: “The Fall of the House of Usher (1839)”, “The Black Cat (1843)” Romanticism in American Literature (1820-1870) Core Themes of Romanticism Nature: source of inspiration & spiritual renewal The Individual: emphasis on personal experience & self-discovery Spirituality: exploration of mystical/emotional aspects of faith Emotion and Imagination: prioritizing feelings and creative expression over logic Cultural Nationalism: celebrating America’s unique identity and landscapes Dark Romanticism explores gothic and psychological themes Poe’s "The Fall of the House of Usher" (1839): narrator, Roderick Usher, Madeline Usher Poe’s “The Black Cat ”(1843): Themes of guilt and the macabre Major Writers Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) "Young Goodman Brown" (1835): Allegorical tale exploring sin and hypocrisy “The Birth-Mark" (1843): A critique of human imperfection and scientific obsession Herman Melville (1819-1891) "Bartleby, the Scrivener" (1853): A story about alienation and resistance to social norms Assigned Reading: 3.2 American Renaissance 3.2.1 Terminology popularized by F.O Matthiessen in his 1941 book, referring to a formative period in American literature, often overlaps with the antebellum war, preceding the Civil War and sometimes  referred to as American Romanticism for its transcultural connections to European Romanticism and German Idealism Major Authors: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Walt Whitman Matthiessen’s Perspective Focused on these five male authors for their contributions to high art Excluded figures like: Edgar Allan Poe: Criticized for his lack of moral depth and association with popular culture; Emily Dickinson: Overlooked as her significance grew posthumously Saw literature as independent of societal influences, emphasizing its resistance to mass culture and materialism Critique of Matthiessen’s Approach Literature is viewed as a response to broader socio-political and economic changes Authors grappled with industrialization effects, distrust of Puritanism, roles of African American/Women in democracy, The Civil War’s atrocities → Romantic writers were deeply engaged in exploring its paradoxes & complexities Broader Themes of the American Renaissance Ambiguity and Symbolism (efforts to grapple with societal contradictions) Modern Authorship (tension between artistic autonomy and societal change Socio-Political Contexts (rise of industrial capitalism, shifts in democracy under Andrew Jackson) 3.2.2 Wider Historical Context Romanticism both critiqued and adapted to modernization → paradoxes in the transformation from agrarian to capitalist society intersections of nature and culture, mind and body, collective history, individual experience Formation of an American Cultural Identity Rooted in myths of the “New World” as a paradise or utopia (e.g., New Jerusalem) Influenced by thinkers like George Berkeley, who posited that power shifts westward in history, America as next global leader origins of civilization as “all the world was America.” (John Locke) Cultural Evolution America maintained cultural and political ties to the Old World 18th to mid-19th centuries: gradual emergence of a distinct American culture Romantic literature coincided with this cultural formation ⇒ challenges of building a national identity free from European influence The Myth of the Common Man Jeffersonian Ideal: The "common man" as a self-reliant, landowning farmer who forms the backbone of the Republic, symbol for physical strength/willpower/democratic ideals By the 1850s, rigid class divisions persisted despite the ideal of upward mobility The South developed into a plantation-based aristocracy, while the Northeast industrialized Lecture 4: Studying Literature and Culture American Literature novels, poems, plays nowadays, also newspaper articles & journalism, graphic novels, song lyrics, social media posts, recipes, speeches (rhetoric) ⇒ continuity author ≠ narrator, besides biographies/memoirs  we ⇔ text ⇔ author, we study the text, not the author effect and aim of text, how does the message come across (boulevard vs. newspaper), be attentive to form → we study how the text is written, not just what it is about Aesthetics reader-response structure: effect on reader and its cultural surroundings, cultural discourses - cultural imagination form ↔ content We study how the text impacts the society (e.g by guiding the reader’s response) Lecture 5: American Renaissance I: Transcendentalism The American Renaissance (1820-1865) Key Figures Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Walt Whitman, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville, Emily Dickinson, Edgar Allan Poe Additional contributors: Frederick Douglass, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and the Fireside Poets (Longfellow, Holmes, Lowell, Whittier) Characteristics Marked by a flourishing of literature and cultural expression in America Themes of Romanticism, individualism, and national identity Transcendentalism Philosophical Foundations Influenced by Immanuel Kant’s ideas of the immanent versus the transcendent Belief in the inherent goodness of people and nature Key Concepts Pantheism: Divinity in nature and the universe Self-reliance: Emphasis on individual autonomy and spiritual growth Retreat or Engagement: Transcendentalists debated whether to isolate themselves for spiritual betterment or actively engage in societal reform The Transcendental Club (1836) Founding members: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Margaret Fuller, Orestes Brownson, Bronson Alcott Focused on philosophy, spirituality, and reform Key Locations and Movements Concord, Massachusetts Ralph Waldo Emerson ○ Nature (1836): Foundational text of Transcendentalism, exploring pantheism ○ Self-Reliance (1841): Advocates for individual independence and moral integrity ○ The American Scholar (1837): A call for American intellectual independence Henry David Thoreau ○ Resistance to Civil Government (1849): Introduced civil disobedience, inspiring later movements for social justice ○ Walden, or Life in the Woods (1854): Reflections on simple living and harmony with nature Communal Experiments  Brook Farm: an experiment in communal living reflecting Transcendentalist values, combined intellectual engagement with agricultural work Poetry: Whitman and Dickinson Walt Whitman (1819-1892) Celebrated individuality, democracy and the interconnectedness of humanity Key Works: Leaves of Grass (1855–1892): A collection evolving over Whitman’s lifetime. ○ “Song of Myself”: Explores the self as a universal, interconnected being ○ “Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking”: Meditations on life, death, and creativity ○ “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry”: A reflection on shared human experiences Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) Known for concise, enigmatic poetry exploring themes of death, nature, and the inner self, isolation and enigmatic language Key Poems: ○ “The Soul selects her own Society” (409): examines the autonomy of the individual ○ “I heard a Fly Buzz — when I died” (465): Reflects on the moments of dying ○ “‘Nature’ is what We see” (668): Explores perceptions of nature and reality ○ “Further in Summer than the Birds” (1068): Contemplates nature’s depth beyond superficial observation Lecture 6: American Renaissance II Negative Transcendence Dark Romanticism Focus on the darker aspects of human nature, sin, guilt, and psychological complexity Explores the limits of human understanding and the consequences of obsession or moral failure Key Texts and Themes Nathaniel Hawthorne Twice-Told Tales (1837), Mosses from an Old Manse (1846) The House of the Seven Gables (1851): Family curses and generational guilt The Blithedale Romance (1852): Utopian ideals versus reality The Scarlet Letter (1850) Characters Themes Hester Prynne: Protagonist marked by sin and resilience Sin & Redemption Pearl: Symbol of purity and defiance Isolation & community judgment Arthur Dimmesdale: Guilty minister embodying moral complexity of morality/justice weakness Roger Chillingworth: Revenge-driven husband Herman Melville - Moby Dick (1851) Characters Themes Ishmael: Narrator and observer of Ahab’s destructive Obsession and revenge (Ahab’s pursuit of the white whale) quest Nature’s power and indifference Queequeg, Tashtego, Daggoo: Harpooners of diverse Interconnectedness of global cultures backgrounds, global unity The futility of transcendence through destructive means Ahab: The obsessed captain, theme of negative transcendence  Pequod: The doomed ship representing humanity’s hubris and fragility Slavery in Literature Historical Context 1820: Missouri Compromise – Balanced the number of slave and free states 1834: Abolition of slavery in the British Empire 1850: Fugitive Slave Law – Heightened tensions between North and South 1861–1865: Civil War, culminating in the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation Key Literary Contributions Slave Narratives The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano (1789): describes the horrors of the Middle Passage and the life of an enslaved African Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass (1845): Chronicles the life of an enslaved man who escapes and becomes an abolitionist Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl (1861) by Harriet Jacobs: sexual exploitation of enslaved women and their struggles for freedom Harriet Beecher Stowe- Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1852) Follows Uncle Tom’s journey through slavery under different masters: Shelby, Kentucky → St. Clare, New Orleans → Legree, Lousiana Themes: moral corruption of slavery, sanctity of family and Christian faith Impact: catalyzed anti-slavery sentiment in the US and abroad Slavery on Stage Auction Scene: Depictions of slave auctions in theatrical performances reflected the brutality of the institution Minstrelsy: Popular stage entertainment featuring caricatures of African Americans, Thomas D. Rice: Known for creating the “Jim Crow” character, perpetuating racist stereotypes Lecture 7: Realism and Naturalism The Gilded Age (1870-1900s) Historical Context Characterized by rapid industrialization, economic growth, and social stratification Key Figures: John D. Rockefeller (Oil industry magnate), Andrew Carnegie (Steel tycoon advocating philanthropy U.S. Presidents of the Era: Abraham Lincoln (1861–1865) to Theodore Roosevelt (1901–1909) Theory of Realism Definition A literary philosophy prioritizing mimesis (truthful representation of reality) Focuses on ordinary people and everyday experiences without romanticizing life Key Theorist William Dean Howells: The Rise of Silas Lapham (1885), A Hazard of New Fortunes (1890), Criticism and Fiction (1891) Core Beliefs: Fiction should reflect real life, portraying authentic motives and passions, advocated for language and dialect true to everyday Americans Themes in Realism Industrial expansion and labor struggles  Disparities in rights and liberties, especially post-Civil War Psychological Realism Focuses on the inner workings of the human mind, emotions, and moral dilemmas Key Author: Henry James Works: Daisy Miller (1879), The Portrait of a Lady (1881): Explores the life and moral growth of Isabel Archer amidst European aristocracy, The Bostonians (1886) Themes: complex interpersonal relationships, ethical dilemmas and personal choices Local Color Realism A detailed depiction of the setting, dialect, customs, and values specific to a region Key Authors and Works Mark Twain: ○ The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876): Standard English, auctorial narrator ○ The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1885): First-person narrator, vernacular language Sarah Orne Jewett: explores New England life Mary Wilkins Freeman: examines rural New England society Kate Chopin: Southern women’s struggles (The Awakening) Bret Harte: Stories of the American West Jack London: Depicts the rugged frontier (The Call of the Wild) Themes Regional identities Tensions between tradition and modernization Naturalism Definition An extension of Realism emphasizing determinism and the influence of environment, heredity, and social conditions on human fate Inspired by Social Darwinism and a "slice of life" perspective Themes Dehumanization in industrial society Struggles of the working class and marginalized communities Authors and Works Stephen Crane: ○ Maggie, a Girl of the Streets (1893): Urban poverty and despair ○ The Red Badge of Courage (1895): Psychological effects of war Theodore Dreiser: Sister Carrie (1900): Ambition & moral ambiguity in urban life Jack London: The Call of the Wild (1903): Survival & instinct in the wilderness Edith Wharton: The House of Mirth (1905): Social constraints & personal tragedy Upton Sinclair: The Jungle (1906): Exposé on industrial exploitation and immigrant labor Jacob Riis: How the Other Half Lives (1890): Non-fiction work documenting tenement life Aspect Realism Naturalism Focus Ordinary life & moral choices Determinism & environmental forces  Philosophy emphasizes rationality and believes in determinism and moral growth external forces Key Figures William Dean Howells, Henry Stephen Crane, Jack London James Themes Focus on middle-class life and Survival, poverty, instincts and morality industrial impact Assigned Reading: 3.3 Realism and Naturalism Overview of Realism Realism refers to: A philosophical debate about mimesis (truthful representation of reality) An artistic movement in Europe (1850s) and an American literary period (1880–1900) A representational convention using detailed depictions to create a "reality effect." Emerged in the U.S. during the Gilded Age (post-Civil War to late 19th century), a period of massive industrialization and social upheaval middle-class perspectives amidst drastic economic and social change A Hazard of New Fortunes (Henry James, 1881): social transformation during the Gilded Age through rational dialogue & democratic ideals Philosophical Debate on Mimesis Plato criticized art as an imperfect copy of reality, misleading and removed from truth Aristotle: embraced art’s creative freedom, highlighting its potential to shape reality Modern Views: ○ Poststructuralism rejects the idea that literature directly represents reality but acknowledges its interaction with historical context ○ Literature blends creation and re-creation, generating fictional realities tied to historical roots Realism as Representation Reality Effect creates the illusion of truth detailed description (verisimilitude) Narrative Coherence uses summaries, character motivations and reliable knowledge Neo-realism, magic realism, minimalism, Local Color/Regionalism: focus on dialects/customs/landscape of specific U.S. regions (Harriet Beecher Stowe, Kate Chopin, Marc Twain) Naturalism harsher form of Realism influenced by determinism and Social Darwinism rejects free will, focusing on characters shaped by heredity, environment, and survival instincts → survival of the fittest inspired by Émile Zola’s Le Roman expérimental (1880), which describes fiction as a scientific experiment to demonstrate determinism Themes: poverty, abnormality, violence, sexuality Key Authors: Stephen Crane, Theodore Dreiser, Jack London Historical Context: The Gilded Age Coined by Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner, the term highlights the era’s wealth disparity and industrialization: ○ Robber Barons: Industrial magnates like Rockefeller and Carnegie ○ Slum Conditions: Documented in Jacob Riis’s How the Other Half Lives (1890) Tension between the wealthy elite and the struggles of the working class Key Themes in London’s Naturalism Focus on overcivilized men rediscovering primal instincts in the wilderness Nature vs. Civilization: Survival requires both instinct and intellect reflects harsh Gilded Age inequalities and class struggle Other Works “To Build a Fire” (1902): man’s overconfidence in intellect over instincts leads to his failure to survive in the wilderness “The Sea Wolf” (1904): Humphrey Van Weyden, a weak writer, transforms aboard Captain Wolf Larsen’s ship ○ Themes: Masculinity, survival, clash of ideologies (Instinct vs. intellect) ○ Message: Survival favors a balance of nature and civilization Lecture 8: International Modernism From Realism to Modernism emerged as a response to modernization and modernity, marking a shift in both content and form from the Realist tradition Modernisation/Modernity: Cultural and societal changes brought by industrialization, urbanization, and technological advances Modernism: movement that challenged traditional forms & embraced experimental techniques to reflect new realities Henry James (1843-1916) The Portrait of a Lady (1881), The Wings of the Dove (1902), The Ambassadors (1903), The Golden Bowl (1904) Stream of Consciousness: Inspired by William James, Henry’s brother, this narrative technique aimed to capture the flow of characters’ inner thoughts The Lost Generation group of disillusioned writers who came of age during or after World War I, often exploring themes of alienation and existential uncertainty Gertrude Stein (1874-1946) Hosted gatherings of avant-garde artists and writers at 27, rue de Fleurus in Paris Three Lives (1909), Tender Buttons (1914) Advocated experimental forms, creating texts resembling modernist art, e.g. Picasso’s cubism and Duchamps’ Nude Descending Staircase (1912) Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961) The Sun Also Rises (1926), A Farewell to Arms (1929), In Our Time (1925, iceberg principle - a minimalist style revealing deeper meaning below the surface) Drew from T.S. Eliot’s Objective Correlative: Crafting external symbols to evoke emotional responses Paris as the Hub Writers and artists congregated at cafes like La Closerie des Lilas, → cross-disciplinary exchange Imagism and Modernist Poetry movement spearheaded by Ezra Pound to revolutionize poetry, emphasizing clarity, brevity, and rhythm inspired by musical phrasing rather than metronomic regularity Ezra Pound (1885-1972)  Founded Poetry magazine (1912), a platform for modernist poets. Defined Imagism in A Few Don’ts by an Imagiste (1913): ○ Direct treatment of the subject (objective or subjective) ○ Eliminate unnecessary words ○ Focus on rhythm based on musical phrasing The Cantos (1925-19699): series of poems blending history, myth & personal reflection T.S. Eliot (1888-1965) The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock (1915): combines fragmentation & modern themes The Waste Land (1922): mythical method, juxtaposing historical/cultural/personal references to convey modern despair Core Themes of Modernism Experimental Form: Use of stream of consciousness, fragmented narratives, and poetic innovation Disillusionment: Reflection of alienation and loss of faith in traditional values post-World War I Cultural Modernity: Reactions to urbanization, technological advances, and shifting cultural norms Global Influences: Cross-pollination of ideas between American and European modernists, often centered in Paris Assigned Reading: 3.4 Modernism = international cultural movement (1890-1930) that represented a radical break from Victorian norms, driven by a younger generation‘s desire for innovation emerged in Western Europe, Russia and the US, thrived in metropolitan centers like Paris, London, Berlin and NYC American Modernism: lagged in modernist art due to cultural dominance by moral austerity & commercialism, prominent figures like Ezra Pound and T.S. Eliot moved to Europe, while others like Robert Frost and William Carlos Williams developed "home-grown" modernist styles Discourses of Modernism First Discourse linked to realism & naturalism, focus on representing modernity & social change e.g. The Awakening (1899), McTeague (1899), The House of Mirth (1905) transitions, mixing of classes, taboo subjects but retains traditional narrative forms Second Discourse (Modernism Proper) innovative forms and breaking narrative conventions William Carlos Williams: captured the fluidity of perception in language Gertrude Stein: experimented with open, dynamic forms, such as in Three Lives (1906), avant-garde innovator Key Figures of Early Modernism Gertrude Stein Ezra Pound: „making it new“ by revisiting classical traditions, The Cantos T.S. Eliot: The Waste Land (1922), a fragmented, multilingual poem exploring cultural decay and renewal, advocated for tradition in literature, self-sacrifice for artistic creation Key Themes Experimentation with narrative form and language Rejection of romantic ideals in favour of fragmented, complex depictions of modern life  reshaped American poetry/prose, literary innovation The Tensions of Modernism Dual Discourses Realism: Grounded in representing social reality Modernism: Innovated forms to reflect new ways of seeing shifts over time “Home-Made” American Modernism Expatriates vs. Local Innovators Expatriates (e.g., Hemingway, Fitzgerald) formed an American avant-garde abroad. Domestic writers like Williams and Moore drew inspiration from local contexts Marianne More: precise imagery, witty & dense poetry, democratic aesthetic of common experiences and language African American Modernism and the Harlem Renaissance Modernism’s fascination with the “primitive” clashed with African American’s lived realities Harlem Renaissance (1920s): cultural flourishing driven by the “New Negro” movement, but marked by racial stereotypes and tensions Claude McKay: used sonnets to challenge racial stereotypes (If We Must Die) Langston Hughes: blended blue rhythms with Withmanesque language to depict black life with irony and poignancy Jean Tomer: modernist literary techniques with black oral traditions Zoe Neale Hurston: Their Eyes Were Watching God, black oral culture in written form Modernist Fiction Poetry initially dominated modernist expression due to its smaller, elite audience, while the novel, driven by commercial considerations, appealed to broader readerships Key Figures in Fiction F. Scott Fitzgerald: themes of wealth, ambition, moral decay during the Jazz Age, combining romance and realism, symbolism Ernest Hemingway: clarity/authenticity in language, precise/minimalist style, Iceberg Theory William Faulkner: Stream of Consciousness, Time and Fragmentation, narrative Gaps Djuna Barnes: Atmospheric and Symbolic Fiction, “night side” of the human psyche (emotionally charged & tragic relationships) Themes and Techniques in Modernism Fragmentation (montage, collage, polyphonic structures) Ambivalence Toward Modernity (chaotic urban and industrial contexts Cultural Memory and Identity (tensions between rural traditions and urban modernity, aiming for a cultural synthesis transcending racial divides) Fragmentation of society and identity in a rapidly changing world Search for meaning in life, especially in urban settings Symbolism and Imagery Late Modernism and the 1930s Literary Shift The 1930s saw a shift in literature towards traditional forms, focusing on agrarian values, "common people," and democracy in response to the previous decade's chaos Writers, particularly from ethnic and proletarian backgrounds, rejected modernism's elitism and moved towards more politically engaged and accessible literature Mediation between Modernism and Realism  Blending of Styles, e.g., Call it Sleep James Agee and Walker Evans: Let Us Now Praise Famous Men (1941) Documentary Innovation: The book, originally a documentary project, challenges traditional genres by exploring the subjective nature of observation and representation Self-Conscious Writing: Agee's awareness of the manipulation involved in documenting reality highlights the tension between objectivity and subjectivity in representing the real Lecture 9: Regional Modernism Rural Modernism Hugh Kenner’s A Homemade World (1975): Focus on a “poetic of the local” and reshaping the American language Central themes: individualism, modernization, and unique regional voices Key Authors: Marianne Moore, Wallace Stevens, William Carlos Williams, Robert Frost, Carl Sandburg, Sherwood Anderson Southern Renaissance Notable Figures: William Faulkner, Robert Penn Warren, Flannery O’Connor, Eudora Welty, Thomas Wolfe, Jean Toomer and Tennessee Williams Key Works by Faulkner: The Sound and the Fury (1929), As I Lay Dying (1930), Absalom, Absalom! (1936), and Barn Burning (1939) Literary Techniques Mythical method (connects temporary stories to universal human experiences) Narrator vs. focalizer (the character through whose perspective the events are experienced) Interior monologue and free indirect discourse (direct access to a character's thoughts, blends character thoughts with the narrator’s voice. The American Metropolis Roaring Twenties, Jazz Age, and post-WWI modernization Depictions in film: Metropolis (1927) by Fritz Lang, Man with a Movie Camera (1929), Modern Times (1936) by Charlie Chaplin F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby (1925) Characters: Jay Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan, Tom Buchanan, Nick Carraway Settings: Manhattan, East Egg, West Egg, Valley of Ashes Themes: Social inequality (“The rich get richer, and the poor get poorer”) and the moral decay of the American Dream The Harlem Renaissance Flourished in 1920s Harlem, New York, against the backdrop of the Great Migration and post-WWI cultural shifts Celebration of African American identity and artistic expression Key Authors: Jean Toomer, Zora Neale Hurston, Claude McKay, Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen Literature, music and art reflecting racial pride, resilience, and resistance to stereotypes Historical significance: Harlem Hellfighters Parade (1919), symbolizing African American contribution to WWI and cultural achievements Lecture 10: American Drama and Theater The Provincetown Players A groundbreaking theater group founded in 1915 in Provincetown, Massachusetts, known for its contributions to modern American drama  Key Figures: George Cram Cook (Co-founder), Susan Glaspell (Playwright of Trifles), Eugene O’ Neill (America’s first major dramatist, known for works such as The Emperor Jones (1920), The Hairy Ape (1922), Long Day’s Journey Into Night (1941/1956) Significant Productions: The Emperor Jones: Set transitions from a palace to a dark forest, reflecting the protagonist's mental descent Documentary Theater Emerged during the Great Depression and New Deal era to address social issues through agitprop and realism Clifford Odets, Waiting for Lefty (1935): A union meeting frames vignettes of working-class struggles (cabdriver, labor spy, intern, etc) Luis Valdez/Teatro Campesino (1965): created “actos” (short plays) highlighting Chicano labor rights (e.g. Zoot Suit (1978)) Mid-Century Classics Themes of Social realism and psychological depth Thornton Wilder: Our Town (1938): celebrates everyday life and mortality Tennessee Williams: The Glass Menagerie (1944), focuses on family dynamics and unfulfilled dreams, A Streetcar Named Desire (1947), explores fragile psyches and social pressures Eugene O’Neill: Long Day’s Journey Into Night (1941/1956) Arthur Miller: Death of a Salesman (1949): Critiques the American Dream, The Crucible (1953): An allegory of McCarthyism Edward Albee: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1962) - A brutal examination of marriage and reality From Drama to Performance Move from traditional narrative drama to experimental performance Off-Off-Broadway Movement: The Living Theatre, The Performance Group, The Wooster Group Notable Productions by the Wooster Group ○ Point Judith (1979): Based on Long Day’s Journey Into Night ○ Route 1 & 9 (1981): Inspired by Our Town ○ L.S.D. (Just the High Points) (1984): A critique of The Crucible Assigned Reading: 3.4 Modernism The Development of American Drama Colonial Roots and 19th Century: ○ Puritan suspicion of theater and its commercialization limited drama's growth ○ Few creative opportunities for playwrights existed until the 20th century Modernism and Early 20th Century: ○ Inspired by European avant-garde movements, experimental groups like the Provincetown Players emerged ○ Pioneering figures included George Cram Cook, Susan Glaspell, and Eugene O’Neill ○ Focus on artistic alternatives to Broadway's commercialism Experimental Modernist Drama Susan Glaspell Themes of gender and societal critique Trifles (1916): A feminist inversion of detective drama The Verge (1921): A mad scientist's experiment on life Supported the Federal Theater Project in the 1930s Eugene O’Neill Dominated early 20th-century American drama Influenced by Naturalism and Expressionism The Emperor Jones (1920): Explored identity and race with African mythology and expressionistic effects Long Day's Journey Into Night (1941/1956): Autobiographical masterpiece about family crises The 1920s: Innovation and Realism Expressionism: The Adding Machine by Elmer Rice Folk Drama: Porgy and Bess (1935) by George Gershwin Harlem Renaissance: Integrated African American cultural elements Realist plays dominated the mainstream, while musicals began to rise The 1930s: Political Drama Great Depression Influence Politicization of drama during the 'Red Decade' Clifford Odets: Waiting for Lefty (1935): Pro-union agitprop play Federal Theater Project (1935–1939): Produced political plays and Living Newspaper productions, highlighted current events (e.g., Ethiopia, One Third of a Nation) Lilian Hellman The Children’s Hour (1934): Addressed societal taboos like lesbianism Later blacklisted during McCarthyism Post-War American Drama Tennessee Williams Explored Southern identity and modernity's clash The Glass Menagerie (1944): A memory play centered on fragility and imagination A Streetcar Named Desire (1947): Highlighted raw human desires and societal decay Arthur Miller Critiqued American materialism and morality Death of a Salesman (1949): A tragic critique of the American Dream The Crucible (1953): Allegorical response to McCarthyism The Evolution of Form: From Drama to Performance Mid-20th Century Experiments Thornton Wilder: Used epic theater techniques to universalize human experiences ○ Our Town (1938): Explored life, love, and death in a small-town setting ○ The Skin of Our Teeth (1942): Addressed human survival across epochs Off-Off-Broadway and Performance Art: Groups like The Living Theatre and The Wooster Group redefined theater, blended traditional drama with experimental performance techniques Key Themes in American Drama Cultural Identity and Critique: Plays often reflect American societal struggles, from Puritanism to modernity Political Engagement: The Depression and Red Decade saw a surge in politically charged drama Diverse Styles: Expressionism, folk drama, realism, and musical theater showcase evolving forms Psychological and Autobiographical Depth: Writers like O’Neill and Williams used personal and universal conflicts to drive narratives Postmodern American Drama Features Blurred boundaries between fact and fiction Dissolution of coherent identities Experimentation with theatrical signifiers Edward Albee Influences: Theater of the Absurd, Artaud’s Theater of Cruelty The Zoo Story (1959): Allegory of human isolation in urban spaces Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1962): Gender and culture wars in a marital setting Later plays explore identity, family, and existential themes (e.g., The Goat or Who is Sylvia?) Other Postmodern Playwrights Arthur Kopit: Deconstruction of myths (Indians, 1968) David Mamet: Critique of capitalism (American Buffalo, 1975; Glengarry Glen Ross, 1983) Sam Shepard: Intermedial influences; themes of family, reality, and myths (Buried Child, 1978) Neil LaBute: Brutal realism (The Shape of Things, 2001) Drama, Gender, and Sexuality Feminist Theater Experimental groups like Women’s Experimental Theatre Beth Henley: Crimes of the Heart (1978) – Family and trauma Marsha Norman: ’night, Mother (1982) – Existential crises Wendy Wasserstein: The Heidi Chronicles (1988) – Conflicts of women’s roles in society LGBTQ+ Theater Tony Kushner: Angels in America (1991/92) – AIDS as a cultural critique Paula Vogel: How I Learned to Drive (1997) – Sexual abuse and family Ethnic Diversity in Drama African American Drama Themes: Racism, identity, and cultural representation Lorraine Hansberry: A Raisin in the Sun (1959) August Wilson: Fences (1985), The Piano Lesson (1987) Suzan-Lori Parks: Topdog/Underdog (2001) Hispanic Drama Political and cultural themes (e.g., Chicano/a activism) Luis Valdez: Teatro Campesino’s Actos Milcha Sanchez-Scott: Roosters (1987) Asian African Drama David Henry Hwang: M. Butterfly (1988) – Stereotypes and identity Philip Kan Gotanda: Sisters Matsumoto (1998) – Cultural recognition and identity Experimental and Performance Theater The Living Theater: Political, improvisational drama (Paradise Now!, 1969) Richard Foreman & Robert Wilson: Multimedia and visual theater (The CIVIL warS, 1983–84) Lecture 11: Postmodernism Core Shifts Epistemological to Ontological Insecurity  Modernism focuses on how we know (epistemology) Postmodernism emphasizes what exists and how it can be known (ontology), reflecting uncertainty and fragmented realities (McHale) Grand Narratives to Micronarratives Lyotard: The decline of overarching truths or universal stories (e.g., nationalism, religion) in favor of localized, fragmented narratives that are context-dependent Postmodernism and Fiction Techniques: Wordplay, intertextuality, collage, parody, metafiction, unreliable narration, framebreaking Themes: Modernism represents disorder; postmodernism adopts and normalizes it, Shift from serious, elitist critique to playful, deconstructive approaches. Key Texts and Authors Vladimir Nabokov: Lolita (1955) John Barth: Lost in the Funhouse (1968): Focus on metafiction and parody, exploring the construction of stories Thomas Pynchon: The Crying of Lot 49 (1966) Kurt Vonnegut: Slaughterhouse-Five (1969) Don DeLillo: White Noise (1985) Margaret Atwood: Alias Grace (1996) Tom Wesselman: Great American Nude #44 (1963) exemplifies postmodern playfulness and critique through visual art From Drama to Performance Off-Off Broadway Movement The Wooster Group Renowned for intertextual and experimental performances, blending traditional plays with postmodern techniques Techniques: Framebreaking, intertextuality, rejecting linear storytelling Key Playwrights: Angels in America (1991), The America Play (1995), An Octoroon (2014) The New York School Abstract Expressionism Jackson Pollock: No. 28 (1950) – splatter techniques reflecting spontaneity Willem de Kooning: Woman (1950) – chaotic yet structured depictions Poetry Frank O’Hara: Lunch Poems (1964) – casual, observational style (“I do this, I do that”) John Ashbery: Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror (1975) – complex and multilayered, blending high and low art Kenneth Koch and James Schuyler: Pioneers in blending humor, abstraction, and personal experience Assigned Reading: 3.5 Postmodernism The Beat Generation A blend of rebellion, hedonism, and creativity, opposing societal norms Literature became a celebration of life, merging art and existence Themes of mobility, freedom, drugs, sex, and alternative lifestyles Influences  European Romanticism (William Blake), American Transcendentalism (Emerson, Thoreau), Whitman’s free verse, and W. C. Williams’ poetry Non-Western traditions like Hinduism, Zen Buddhism, and Native American mythologies (Gary Snyder) literature was a form of cultural critique, challenging the conformist values of 1950s America. ○ often depicted the struggles of marginalized groups, including the LGBTQ+ community and racial minorities ○ foreshadowed the larger civil rights movements of the 1960s Core Ideas The term “beat” carries three meanings: Beaten: Oppressed and disillusioned Beat: Rhythm and music, especially Bebop Beatific: Search for transcendental happiness Key Figures and Works Works/Figures Content/Themes Jack Kerouac (On the Road, 1951/58) A journey of personal mobility and freedom, told in "spontaneous prose." Combines picaresque, frontier, and road novel elements William S. Burroughs (The Naked Lunch, 1959) A surreal exploration of drug addiction and power in fragmented, hallucinatory episodes Allen Ginsberg Known for powerful, rebellious poetry blending personal experience with societal critique Gary Snyder Pioneer of eco-poetry, exploring human-nature connections Legacy influenced counterculture movements of the 1960s-70s, Popular art forms like rock music (Bob Dylan), ecological awareness and intermedial dialogues with jazz and action painting Criticism: Accused of excessive individualism and patriarchal gender attitudes, yet praised for openness to new ideas and forms American Poetry in the Later Twentieth and Early Twenty-First Centuries The Black Mountain School arose from a collaborative environment at a reform college, fostering creativity across various art forms, including architecture, design, and literature Influential figures such as Charles Olson and Robert Creeley were pivotal in this movement, co-edited the Black Mountain Review, which served as a platform for innovative poetic ideas Olson’s essay “Projective Verse” (1959) introduced the notion of open form poetry, ○ liberation of poetry from fixed structures ○ posited that poetry should reflect the bodily individual experience, resonating with the rhythms of speech and breathing gave rise to the San Francisco School, known for its avant-garde approach to poetry and music, while the New York Poets, including Frank O’Hara and John Ashbery, explored the interplay between poetry and visual art, particularly action painting and aleatory soundscapes Confessional Poets  marked a shift towards personal and introspective themes, often rooted in experiences of crisis and psychological turmoil John Berryman’s “Dream Songs” (1964/69) exemplifies this trend → the complexities of self-identity and the struggle for personal authenticity Robert Lowell confronted the patriarchal New England tradition, offering a male perspective on personal and cultural conflicts, a critical examination of familial and societal expectations Female poets such as Anne Sexton and Sylvia Plath articulated their struggles against societal constraints, using poetry as a medium for self-assertion ○ Sexton’s collection “Live or Die” (1966) stands out for its exploration of profound themes of life, death, and emotional resilience ○ Plath’s “The Bell Jar” (1963) provides a narrative of her struggle with mental health, while her collection “Ariel” (1965) is marked by a radical tone and vivid imagery, particularly in poems like “Daddy” and “Lady Lazarus,” which tackle themes of trauma and resurrection Experimental Poetry The L=A=N=G=U=A=G=E poetry movement, which gained prominence in the 1970s, shifted the focus towards the materiality of language. ○ explore the visual and acoustic properties of words, challenging traditional notions of poetic form emergence of Native American poets, who drew inspiration from both contemporary poetry and their rich oral traditions, reflects a unique cultural perspective ○ Simon Ortiz: “The Creation, According to Coyote,” which reinterprets biblical creation narratives through the lens of Native American storytelling ○ poets like Ray Young Bear, Linda Hogan, Joy Harjo, and Rita Dove have similarly integrated traditional forms and rituals into their work, enriching the tapestry of postmodern American literature Ecological Themes in Poetry growing awareness of the interconnectedness of culture and nature A. R. Ammons, Robert Hass, Mary Oliver, Ed Roberson, and Ruth Stone: ecological issues, nature as an integral component of human experience and identity Postmodern and Contemporary Fiction Broadly Realist Forms of Fiction complexities of individual identity amidst societal anonymity The Catcher in the Rye (1951) by J.D. Salinger and The Adventures of Augie March (1953) by Saul Bellow ○ Salinger’s protagonist, Holden Caulfield, embodies the outsider experience, critiquing a “phony” adult society while grappling with personal disillusionment and mental health crises ○ Bellow’s Augie March is characterized as a picaresque hero, navigating a myriad of social roles imposed by others in his search for identity The Jewish Intellectual in Contemporary Fiction Saul Bellow, a Nobel Prize winner, presents the Jewish intellectual as an existentialist outsider in works like Herzog (1964), grapples with personal and societal crises, utilizing letter writing as a means of exploring his emotional turmoil Bernard Malamud employs mythical and biblical motifs to depict the suffering Jewish outsider, often achieving redemption through connections with others  ○ The Assistant (1957): character Frank Alpine’s transformation through his relationship with the saint-like Jewish grocer, Morris Bober, symbolizes a union of Christianity and Judaism Philip Roth: A Provocative Voice a more critical stance towards Jewish tradition, particularly the orthodox aspects His early work, Goodbye, Columbus (1959), utilizes an ironic-satirical tone to challenge conventional societal norms, particularly regarding sexuality address significant societal issues, including the Holocaust, the Vietnam War, and the challenges faced by writers in a conformist culture The Adolescent Experience in Fiction J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye stands as a cult novel of the 1950s, encapsulating the adolescent experience ○ Holden Caulfield’s character navigates a series of disillusionments, ultimately leading to his breakdown and institutionalization ○ The narrative juxtaposes Holden’s cool narrative voice against his inner fragility and desire to protect childhood innocence from adult corruption aligns with a broader tradition of American novels of adolescence, exemplified by Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn (1885), which also explores themes of initiation and identity Focus on Postmodernist Literature often take a skeptical stance toward realism, the ‘grand narratives’ of historiography, and the notion of a stable identity using techniques like ○ parody and pastiche ○ metafictionality ○ intertextual and intermedial references ○ multiperspectival narration ○ non-linear time structures ○ open or alternative endings Works/Figures Content/Themes John Updike (Rabbit Angstrom, 1960-1990) mimetic-realist tradition, representing the average American individual against the backdrop of significant social and political events portrays the protagonist as an un-heroic figure, marked by fear and failure, the struggles of middle-class existence in America emphasizes the protagonist’s frustrations in escaping the constraints of normative societal expectations Joyce Carol Oates (The Falls, 2004) trauma, violence, and the alienation of individuals, particularly through the lens of adolescent experiences Niagara Falls serves as a cultural and ecological focal point John Irving (The World According to Garp, 1978) modern fears and nightmares through grotesque and fantastical plots, juxtapose violence and the absurd, showcasing the chaos of contemporary life, both entertainment and social commentary The Postmodern Turn Characteristics of Postmodern Literature (1960s-1980s)  Skepticism toward realism and grand narratives techniques such as parody, metafictionality, and non-linear time structures cultural crisis and a break from elitist modern art Influential Postmodern Writers Vladimir Nabokov: His novel Lolita (1955) exemplifies postmodern traits like unreliable narration and textual self-reflexivity Thomas Pynchon: Known for Gravity’s Rainbow (1973), he blends the chaotic with the fantastical, showcasing a labyrinthine narrative style that reflects the complexities of modern existence John Barth: His collection Lost in the Funhouse (1968) emphasizes the medium of writing itself, exploring the boundaries of narrative structure and reader engagement Historical Contextualization in Postmodern Fiction Joseph Heller’s Catch-22: Exposes the absurdities of war and the paradoxes faced by individuals trapped in bureaucratic systems Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five: Merges science fiction with historical trauma, portraying the firebombing of Dresden through a non-linear narrative Radical Realism Alongside postmodern experimentation, authors like Truman Capote and Tom Wolfe revitalized literary realism, blending fact with fiction to explore contemporary issues led to a new form of neorealism, which sought to present a more authentic representation of society Multicultural Differentiation in American Literature The Rise of African American Literature The Harlem Renaissance marked a pivotal moment for African American voices, with writers like Ralph Ellison and James Baldwin addressing themes of identity and social justice. Toni Morrison’s Beloved (1987) is a critical exploration of slavery’s legacy, combining folklore and historical narrative to depict the trauma of the past Native American and Chicano Literature The Native American Renaissance of the 1960s introduced writers like Scott Momaday and Leslie Marmon Silko, who combined oral traditions with modern narrative forms Chicano/a literature emerged as a vital expression of identity, with authors like Sandra Cisneros addressing gender and cultural conflicts within immigrant communities Asian American Literature Asian American writers such as Maxine Hong Kingston and Amy Tan articulate the complexities of multicultural identities Lecture 11: Multiculturalism and Ethnic Diversity The New York School Key Poets: Frank O’Hara, John Ashbery, Kenneth Koch, James Schuyler Art Connection: Abstract Expressionism, represented by artists like Jackson Pollock (No. 28, 1950) Terminology Multiculturalism: "The existence, recognition, or preservation of different cultures or cultural identities within a unified society" (Webster’s College Dictionary) ○ Hybridity: blending of cultural identities ○ Diversity: presence of varied cultural, ethnic, and social identities  Ethnic Categories: Native American / First Nation / Indigenous, African American / Black, Chicano / Hispanic / Latino / Latinx (e.g., Luis Valdez, Junot Diaz), Asian American (e.g., David Henry Hwang, Amy Tan, Jhumpa Lahiri), Arab American (e.g., Philip Metres, Suheir Hammad) Black Arts - Black Postmodernism Black Arts Movement Emerged as the "aesthetic and spiritual sister of the Black Power concept" (Larry Neal, 1968) Advocated for art that spoke directly to the needs and aspirations of Black America Proposed a radical reordering of Western cultural aesthetics through a distinct Black symbolism, mythology, critique, and iconology Key Figures: LeRoi Jones / Amiri Baraka, Toni Morrison, Colson Whitehead Black Aesthetics Grounded in African traditions, music, oral/vernacular storytelling, communal practices, and the concept of "signifying" (indirect communication through irony, wordplay, or metaphor) Themes/Concept Integration of music, communal traditions, and orality into literature Use of parody and collage to critique dominant cultural narratives The Native American Renaissance Emerged as a reaction to assimilation policies and cultural erasure, seeking to preserve and celebrate Native identities and traditions Rooted in the Red Power movement, which called for political and cultural sovereignty Hybridity: Blending traditional Native American stories and contemporary literary forms Storytelling: Central to Native American literature as a means of preserving history and culture Collage: Interweaving various textual forms and perspectives Ontology: Exploring questions of existence, identity, and cultural survival Key authors e.g., N. Scott Momaday, Simon J. Ortiz, Leslie Marmon Silko (themes of healing and restoration of balance through Native traditions Lecture 12: American Literature and Culture Today Beyond Postmodernism literature shift toward new new movements that reject irony and embrace sincerity, realism, and ethical engagement Neo-Realism Focus on detail (Tom Wolfe) Minimalism (Raymond Carver) Emphasis on authenticity (especially in ethnic literature) Ontological stability → Contrasts with postmodernism’s emphasis on fragmentation Key Figure: Alice Munro (1931-) Known for detailed psychological realism and minimalist prose Narrative stability rather than postmodern uncertainty New Sincerity A reaction against postmodern irony and detachment Advocates for earnestness, emotional depth, and sincerity in literature David Foster Wallace in “E Unibus Pluram” (1993) predicts a return to single-entendre values, rejecting irony as dominant literary mode  Recent scholarship links New Sincerity to contemporary political contexts (Steinhilber, 2022) Postautonomous Art Literature intertwined with market forces, politics, collaboration, and ethics Art seen as both aesthetic and political rather than autonomous from society (Rauterberg, 2018) Literature and the New Media Challenges to Literature’s Role Philip Roth: Claims the literary era is over, replaced by screen culture (film, TV, internet) Literature requires silence, concentration, and isolation, which are diminishing in the digital age Trends Reading habits change with digitalization Electronic publishing → Rise of e-books and audiobooks Standardization → Globalised markets influence literary trends The “Genre Turn” → Increased popularity of genre fiction (e.g., romance, thriller, fantasy) Example of Genre Trends ETL (Enemies-to-Lovers trope) Grumpy/Sunshine (contrasting character dynamics Second Chance (reunion of past lovers, redemption arcs) Oral Perforance Confessional Poetry Personal, raw, and emotionally exposing poetry Blurs the line between private and public life Poets: Robert Lowell (Life Studies, 1959), John Berryman (77 Dream Songs, 1964), Sylvia Plath (Ariel, 1965) Spoken Performances Combines literary techniques with public performance Figures: Saul Williams, Paul Beatty, Amanda Gorman, Amiri Baraka, Suheir Hammad Hip-Hop as Literary Expression incorporates rhyme, rhythm, metaphor, wordplay merges poetic techniques with music and performances