Modernism

Important Definitions

  • Modernism

    • Unique artistic style characterized by its negation of previous artistic forms, a continuous need for innovation to avoid obsolescence, and a connection to capital exploitation.

  • Realism

    • In writing, a literary movement that emerged in the mid-19th century, characterized by the depiction of subject matter as it appears in real life without embellishment or interpretation. It often focuses on the ordinary, the everyday, and the struggles of common people.

  • Romanticism

    • In writing, a literary movement of the late 18th and early 19th centuries that emphasized emotion, individualism, the glorification of all the past and nature, and often featured heroic or solitary figures. It was a reaction against the industrial revolution and rationalism.

  • Stream of Consciousness

    • Coined by William James, it is a metaphorical representation of thought processes as a continuous, flowing stream.

  • Interior Monologue

    • A literary technique involving the direct transcription of a character's thoughts.

  • Free Indirect Discourse

    • A narrative technique where the narration blends the idiom of the characters with the narrator's voice, borrowing conversational style from characters.

  • Moments of Being

    • A concept by Virginia Woolf referring to fleeting, profound experiences that encapsulate insights of beauty or emotional shock.

  • Victorian Novel

    • Characterized by comprehensive narratives that represent life from beginning to end, often with a broad scope (e.g., Charles Dickens' David Copperfield).

  • Modernist Novel

    • Reflects daily realities authentically and with less narrative space, focusing on individual experiences and subjective perceptions (e.g., Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway).

  • Postmodernism

    • A philosophical and artistic movement that questions the existence of a genuine reality, focusing on surface-level experiences and collapsing the distinction between highbrow and lowbrow art, contrasting with Modernism.

Artistic Styles and Modernism

  • Definition of Modernism

    • Unique in its negation of previous artistic styles.

    • Conforms to the need for capital exploitation.

    • Art must continually innovate to avoid obsolescence.

  • Modernist Themes

    • Interests in the stream of consciousness and the Freudian unconscious.

    • Accompanied by utopian sensations, suggesting imminent change.

    • Self and subjectivity are allegorical of global transformation.

Comparison of Modernist Works

  • Victorian vs Modernist Novel

    • Victorian novels (e.g., Charles Dickens' David Copperfield) represent life comprehensively from start to end.

    • Example: "I am the worm," indicates a long and enduring narrative.

    • Modernist works, like Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway, reflect daily realities authentically and with less narrative space.

  • Woolf’s Perspective on Joyce

    • Reflected ambivalence towards James Joyce's Ulysses, as seen in her diary entries.

    • Initially appreciates the style, citing amusement, stimulation, charm, but later confesses confusion, boredom, and irritation.

    • Criticism of Joyce:

    • Considered self-taught and egotistical, leading to a perception of class snobbery.

Woolf's Critique and Contributions

  • Woolf on Ulysses

    • Critiques its pretentiousness and claims it lacks literary rigor.

    • Sees her potential as improving upon Joyce's innovations due to perceived deficiencies in content.

  • Woolf’s Toads and Mrs. Dalloway's Themes

    • Opening line: "Mrs. Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself."

    • Establishes focus on materiality and personal agency.

  • A Room of One's Own

    • Explores the historical inequalities in opportunities for women writers.

    • Imagines sister Judith Shakespeare, who could not achieve recognition and ultimately leads a tragic life.

    • Suggests any gifted woman in the 16th century would be unsupported and misunderstood, ultimately leading to self-destruction or societal rejection.

  • Woolf’s Assertion on Female Writers

    • Acknowledges the absence of genuine experience in earlier female writers (e.g., Jane Austen, George Eliot).

    • Calls for a new articulation of the human experience shaped by modern societal changes, particularly for women.

Stream of Consciousness and Narrative Techniques

  • Concept Definition: Stream of Consciousness

    • Coined by American philosopher William James.

    • Metaphorical representation of thought processes similar to a flowing stream.

  • Literary Techniques

    • Interior Monologue: Direct transcription of thoughts. Example: Adulterer's thoughts while observing a sales clerk.

    • Free Indirect Discourse: Narration borrows the idiom of characters; a blend of narrator’s and character's voices.

    • Notable Practitioners:

    • Jane Austen and Gustave Flaubert, both known for their mastery of this narrative approach.

Exploration of Everyday Experiences

  • Woolf’s Narrative Focus

    • Highlights fragmented nature of modern life, exploring complex ways humans experience existence.

    • Examines social identity, aging, and self-perception (e.g., Clarissa's reflection before the mirror).

  • Connection and Communication

    • Explores human connection, contrasting the inner experiences of characters against the societal framework.

    • Examines the encounter between Clarissa and Septimus Smith, considering connections across social classes.

Modernism: Thematic underpinnings and implications

  • Modernism and Social Transformation

    • The artist's role is tied to societal changes and collective human experiences.

    • Benjamin’s idea: Modernism creates art problems that require social resolution.

    • Jameson’s view: Modernist representations of self reflect a world on the cusp of transformation.

  • Moments of Being

    • Woolf refers to fleeting experiences that encapsulate insights of beauty or emotional shock.

    • Example: Clarissa's epiphany while in Sally Seton's presence, creating 'moments of beauty and dread.'

Understanding Postmodernism

  • Modernism vs Postmodernism

    • Modernism emphasizes authenticity, change, and genuine experiences; challenges artistic conventions.

    • Postmodernism questions the existence of a genuine reality, focusing on surface-level experiences without depth.

  • Art and Technology

    • Discussion on the relationship of modernism to technological evolution, with diverging views (Adorno vs. Benjamin) on film as either liberating or oppressive.

  • High vs. Low Art

    • Postmodernism collapses the distinction between highbrow and lowbrow art, embracing a blend of genres and artistic styles.

Conclusion

  • Importance of Connections

    • Modernist literature calls upon readers to discern connections between characters and their experiences.

    • Characters’ complexities create deeper layers of narrative engagement through self-reflections and social interactions.

  • Overall Reflection

    • Modernism serves as a bridge between shifts in societal structures, artist motivations, and the evolution of narrative techniques.