10. MODERNISM IN BRITISH POETRY AND PROSE, AMERICAN LITERATURE BETWEEN 1900-1945 I.

What was the key feature of Modernist literature in the early 20th century?

• breaking old traditions

• experimenting with language, content, and topics

• often dealt with themes of alienation, disillusionment, and societal decay.

Who were some key figures in British Modernism?

James Joyce, Ezra Pound, Virginia Woolf, and T.S. Eliot.

What narrative technique did Modernist writers, such as Virginia Woolf and James Joyce, employ?

the "stream of consciousness" technique, which captures the inner thoughts of characters, reflecting their mental states and experiences.

What are some key themes explored in Modernist British poetry?

• the decay of society

• the alienation of individuals

• the rise of psychological realism

• disillusionment following WWI.

What does the term "Make it new" represent in Modernism?

It refers to the Modernist desire to break away from traditional artistic forms and experiment with new techniques and expressions, encapsulated in Ezra Pound's phrase.

What was the significance of "The Second Coming" by W.B. Yeats?

The poem explores chaos and anarchy in the post-WWI world, suggesting the need for a second coming of Christ due to the degeneration of society and its leaders.

What is Imagism in poetry?

Imagism is a Modernist movement that emphasizes clear, precise images and the avoidance of unnecessary words, focusing on direct treatment of the subject.

How does Ezra Pound's poem "In a Station of the Metro" exemplify Imagism?

The poem consists of just two lines, presenting a precise image of faces in a subway, transforming an ordinary scene into something artistic and profound.

What role did William Butler Yeats play in Irish nationalism?

Yeats was involved in Irish nationalism, using his poetry to rejuvenate Irish culture, though he was often at odds with political leaders of the movement.

What technique does Virginia Woolf use in her novels, such as Mrs. Dalloway?

Woolf uses the "free indirect style" to blend the narrator's voice with the inner thoughts of the characters, often blurring the line between the two.

What is the primary focus of Modernist fiction?

Modernist fiction focuses on the inner lives of characters, questioning the reliability of narrative, and often lacks clear, moral beginnings, middles, and endings.

What is the significance of the novel Ulysses by James Joyce?

Ulysses is a Modernist novel that parallels Homer's Odyssey, exploring the inner thoughts and experiences of its characters over the course of a single day in Dublin.

What was the Harlem Renaissance?

The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement in the 1920s that encouraged African Americans to embrace their heritage, with prominent figures like Langston Hughes, Claude McKay, and Jean Toomer.

What was the focus of Langston Hughes' poetry?

Hughes' poetry often celebrated African American culture and heritage, and subtly critiqued racial prejudice in society, using jazz and blues rhythms.

How did modernist writers challenge traditional narrative structures?

Modernist writers questioned the belief in a fully knowable world, used unreliable narrators, and experimented with fragmented, non-linear plots to reflect the complexity of human experience.

What was the main focus of T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land?

The Waste Land explores the devastation and disillusionment of post-WWI Europe, using complex symbolism and fragmented structure to convey cultural decay.

What was the impact of the Boer War on British literature during George V’s reign?

The Boer War, along with the rise of anti-imperialism, sparked new literary expressions that critically examined imperialism and began a shift towards a more bitter and antiheroic tone in literature

How did modernist writers like T.S. Eliot and James Joyce influence the perception of language and reality in literature

They portrayed reality as subjective, focusing on inner consciousness and self-reflection, and often using fragmented language to mirror the complexity and confusion of modern life.

What is the significance of the "Little Theatre Movement" in American drama?

It was a revolt against commercial theater, promoting new and experimental plays, and creating a space for addressing social issues through art

Who was Eugene O'Neill and what themes did he explore in his plays?

: O'Neill was a playwright known for exploring the human condition, particularly issues like alcoholism, poverty, and the emotional struggles of his characters.

What was the significance of Dubliners by James Joyce?

Dubliners is a collection of short stories depicting the paralysis of Dublin’s inhabitants, offering a critique of Irish society's moral and cultural stagnation.

What was the impact of modernism on poetry?

Modernist poetry, like the work of Ezra Pound and T.S. Eliot, focused on economy of language, the use of precise images, and exploring the emotional and intellectual fragmentation of the modern world.

How did Richard Wright contribute to American literature?

Richard Wright was a key figure in African American literature, with works like Native Son exploring the effects of social and economic oppression on African Americans.

What is Vorticism and how does it relate to Modernism?

Vorticism was an avant-garde movement focusing on geometric abstraction and dynamic movement, seeking to merge art with industrial and technological progress.

What is the significance of the phrase "Make it New" in Modernist art?

"Make it New" encapsulates the Modernist goal of breaking away from tradition, embracing innovation, and exploring fresh ways of representing contemporary life.