Modernism, Postmodernism, and Postcolonialism

Flashcards about Modernism, Postmodernism, and Postcolonialism.

BLAST

Curse abysmal inexcusable middle-class from 1837 to 1900 (also Aristocracy and Proletariat).

BOHEM

Pasty shadow cast by gigantic Boehm (associated with the introduction of BOURGEOIS VICTORIAN VISTAS).

Modern Period

A literary era, followed by Postmodernism and Postcolonialism.

Windrush Generation

Arrival of West Indian Immigrants to London from 1948-1962.

Modernist Alienation

Sense of alienation from mainstream, middle-class, late Victorian British values; anxiety and doubt emerges.

Literary modernism

Art and literature that moves beyond boundaries of thought, style, propriety, and genre.

Imagist poetry

Poetry that emphasizes clarity of expression through the use of precise visual images.

Cubism

An early-20th-century avant-garde art movement that revolutionized European painting and sculpture, and inspired related movements in music, literature, and architecture, characterized by shifts in perspective.

Postmodern Literature

Characterized by reliance on narrative techniques such as fragmentation, paradox, and unreliable narrators.

Decolonization

Process where former colonies created national identities, and their art, music, and literature acquired new characteristics

Postcolonial Literature

Reflects many literary features that parallel postmodernism, including hybridity, creolization, non-linearity, and admixture.

Colonization in Reverse

Migration of West Indians to England due to postwar labor shortages.

What are the primary themes explored in Modernist literature related to social anxiety?

• Alienation: Feeling isolated from society or a community.
• Loss of Identity: Struggles to find or maintain a stable sense of self.
• Existential Angst: Deep anxiety about the meaning of life and uncertainty.
• Fragmented Experience: Reflecting chaotic and disjointed social environments.

How did urbanization and industrialization contribute to social anxiety during the Modernist period?

• Overcrowding: Densely populated urban centers bred anonymity and fear.
• Factory Work: Dehumanizing labor conditions led to feelings of insignificance.
• Social Mobility: Rapid changes in social structures created uncertainty and competition.
• Loss of Tradition: Erosion of traditional social norms left individuals adrift.

In what ways did Modernist writers portray characters experiencing social anxiety?

• Inner Monologue: Revealing characters' innermost fears and insecurities.
• Stream of Consciousness: Capturing the chaotic and anxious nature of thought.
• Symbolism: Using objects or images to represent feelings of dread or unease.
• Psychological Realism: Exploring the psychological impact of social forces on individuals.

Can you provide examples of literary techniques used to depict social anxiety in Modernist works?

• Fragmentation: Breaking down narratives to mirror fractured mental states.
• Unreliable Narrators: Narrators whose perceptions are distorted by anxiety.
• Irony and Satire: Exposing the absurdities and hypocrisies of social conventions.
• Ambiguity: Leaving outcomes uncertain to reflect the pervasive anxiety of the era.

How does the theme of social anxiety reflect broader cultural shifts during the Modernist period?

• Questioning Authority: Challenging traditional institutions and values.

What are the main principles of Imagism?

• Striving for clarity of expression through precise images.
• Favoring directness and economy of language.
• Experimenting with free verse.

Who were some of the key figures associated with the Imagist movement?

• Ezra Pound
• H.D. (Hilda Doolittle)
• Amy Lowell
• Richard Aldington

What are the defining characteristics of Imagist poetry?

• Focus on concrete images rather than abstract concepts.
• Use of precise and clear language.
• Emphasis on visual and sensory details.

What were the main influences and motivations behind the development of Imagism?

• A reaction against the sentimentality and Romanticism of Victorian poetry.
• A desire to create more modern and relevant poetry.

What are some notable examples of Imagist poems and their key features?

• Short, free verse poems that capture a single moment or image with intense clarity.

How did Imagism influence subsequent movements and poets?

• "In a Station of the Metro" by Ezra Pound
• "Oread" by H.D.

What is the legacy of Imagism in

• It paved the way for other modernist movements by emphasizing directness, precision, and the use of everyday language.

“Stream of Consciousness”

attempts to recreate the thinking of characters in works, to find a literary equivalent for how minds work. In literature, this technique presents a narrative style that mimics the natural flow of thoughts and feelings, often disregarding conventional grammar and structure.

Cubism

 An early-20th-century avant-garde art movement that revolutionized European painting and sculpture, and inspired related movements in music, literature and architecture.