Topic 7
Modern American Literature
Keywords:
Modernist poetry and prose
Women's modernism
The Harlem Renaissance
I. Introduction
Definition of Modernism: A controversial concept in literary history and theory linked to the term "modern," which comes from Latin meaning: recently, right now, today.
Historical Context: People self-identified as "modern" as far back as the 12th century, throughout the Renaissance, and into the late 17th century. Modernity is not limited to any specific time frame but represents contemporary and innovative phenomena distinct from prior knowledge.
Cultural Perspectives on Modernity:
Positive Self-Image: The age of modernity highlights the value of science, reason, individuality, freedom, truth, and social progress based on rational values.
Dark Sides of Modernization: Issues such as ethnic and class oppression, imperialism, anthropocentrism, environmental destruction, loss of communities and traditions, alienation, and adaptation of individuals into mass culture became focal points of criticism.
Strictly Defined Modernism: Refers specifically to the artistic movements of the 1910s to 1930s, representing a renewal of the arts, seeking to encapsulate exceptional moments and expressing skepticism toward the efficacy of language and cultural forms.
Features of Modernism: Emphasis on diversity and internationality; American culture gained worldwide prominence during this period, equating modernism closely with American identity.
II. Modern American Poetry
A. Imagism
Significance: Imagism was a pivotal trend in 20th-century American poetry, radically shifting poetic practices with four core tenets:
Directly treat the "thing" (whether objective or subjective).
Omit any words that do not contribute to the presentation.
Compose rhythmically based on musical phrases rather than a metronome.
Utilize tropes to create immediate intellectual and emotional unity.
Expanded Themes:
Shift towards everyday American experiences in poetry, focusing on the city instead of nature, present themes rather than historical ones, sexuality instead of romance, and political corruption over patriotism.
Formal Evolution: Break from Victorian-Romantic traditions towards free verse, emphasizing natural rhythms.
B. Key Figures in Modernist Poetry
Ezra Pound
Renowned as one of the influential poets of the 20th century.
His work began with imagism and emphasized everyday language and themes, promoting objectivity, precision and honesty in writing.
Examples: The Jewel Stairs' Grievance, The Cantos.
Canto Definition: A long subsection of an epic poem; Pound's Cantos portrayed a synthesis of past traditions.
William Carlos Williams
A prominent modernist poet within the Imagist movement.
His poetry rejects symbolist perspectives, aiming for direct representation of subject.
Example: The Red Wheelbarrow.
Wallace Stevens
Respected for his abstract and complex poetry focused on philosophical themes.
Poetry serves to fill a void left by waning religious sentiments, exploring the order in everyday chaos.
Example: Sunday Morning.
T. S. Eliot
A key figure in modernist poetry, known for a metaphysical-oriented approach.
Noted for re-evaluating literary traditions and promoting the concept of impersonality in poetry: discouraging self-expression.
Introduced “objective correlation” in his essay on Hamlet, critiquing the play's inability to convey deep emotions.
Example: The Waste Land, illustrating modern social maladies as prevalent distance from nature.
E. E. Cummings
An innovator known for playful typography, spelling, and visual layout in poetry.
His experimentation elevated linguistic meaning beyond traditional constraints.
Example: No Thanks.
III. Modern American Prose
A. Overview
Era Characteristics: The 1920s marked the rise of modernist prose, distinguished by dual concepts of identification and separation, often associated with the terms the "jazz era" and the "lost generation" (post-WWI).
Thematic Focus: The 1930s saw a surge in socially engaged writing addressing major issues.
B. Common Features of Modernist Prose
Formal Experimentation: Innovations in narrative structure and style.
Internal vs. External Reality: Focus on internal experiences over objective reality.
Narratorial Techniques: Use of a focalized, subjective narrator replacing omniscient perspectives.
Subjectivization of Mimesis: Experiences portrayed as continuous with often ambiguous interpretations.
Narrative Complexity: Non-linear approaches to time with an absence of definitive endings.
Symbolism and Archetypes: Combined metaphorical and metonymic narratives establishing a rhythm.
C. Key Figures in Modernist Prose
F. Scott Fitzgerald
A central figure in the modernist era whose works often celebrate youth while conveying the loss of ideals associated with adulthood and the American Dream.
Example: The Great Gatsby, illustrating modernist themes.
Ernest Hemingway
Known for his concise writing style characterized by restraint and omission, creating depth through subtext.
Example: Fiesta, reflecting the sentiments of the "lost generation", war's impact, and the ironies of the American dream.
D. Women's Modernism
Historical Context: Women's literature has been increasingly recognized since the 1970s. Female authors previously marginalized gained visibility, prompting a reevaluation of modernism.
Conceptual Discussions: Explores the essence of social gender and challenges traditionally held views on gender traits. The stance moves from binary distinctions to a spectrum of traits.
Key Figures:
Gertrude Stein
An influential experimental writer known for her unique linguistic style and anti-patriarchal approaches.
Example: Three Lives.
Hilda Doolittle (H.D.)
Important in women's literature with works like Palimpsest, featuring a female hermaphrodite protagonist across different ages and experiences.
Djuna Barnes
Notable for Nightwood, a complex narrative challenging traditional gender constructs through marginalized characters.
IV. The Harlem Renaissance
Era Overview: A significant cultural movement in early 20th century, where African-American writers emerged collectively to foster racial pride and cultural identity against systemic racism.
Cultural Goals:
Challenge white stereotypes and promote a redefined African-American identity, signaling an era of self-representation.
Connected to historical narratives highlighting the importance of literacy within the African-American experience, crucial in fighting against dehumanization.
Key Figures:
W. E. B. DuBois
A pioneering social critic advocating for civil rights and defining “race” as central to 20th-century discourse.
Argued for political action to challenge racial divisions in America.
James Weldon Johnson
A multifaceted artist whose work addresses both racial and gender identity issues.
Example: The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man.
Langston Hughes
Prominent for integrating African-American musical elements into poetry, expressing cultural pride and innovation across multiple genres.
Zora Neale Hurston
A foundational figure in both African American and feminist literary contexts, known for Their Eyes Were Watching God, chronicling the journey of a black woman towards self-discovery and empowerment.