Movement focus: literary modernism

Literary modernism is a type of writing characterised by a focus on change, rebirth and destruction. Emerging from an uncertain time where there was a lot of industrial and social change, texts from this time were a good way of exploring some of the unspoken fears of the time period.

Often, characters in modernist texts are searching for metaphysical rationale – which is often juxtaposed against the writing style, which tends to be much more experimental. This is characterised by non-linear narratives and inner monologues that convey the innermost emotions and experiences of their character. Let’s learn more!

History of literary modernism

Modernist writing saw its emergence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and is concerned with a conscious movement to go against the grain of traditional writing. Coming at a time of reflection from the immense casualties from the World War, society was at a turning point. The Industrial Revolution also brought technological advances and social changes to boot – and it led to a huge upheaval of society as a whole.

Writing is often a good marker of the times; particularly in historical societies where privacy was the status quo, or more restrictive ones where authors had to mask their true intent, so literary modernism’s themes are a good reflection of goings on, such as machinery, capitalism and alienation.

What is literary modernism?

It started in American literature and was also influenced by the Prohibition and the Great Depression, echoing a general sense of loss from the public. In modernism’s search for the new and unique, the writing process was treated less like a long, arduous slog and more like a creative process.

Often, literary modernist stories follow tales of transformation, mythology, sensuality (though often cynically) or destruction. As the movement is based around the idea of radical change: in beliefs, opinions and identities among other aspects, the fluidity and flexibility of change forms a big part of the movement.

Key features of literary modernism

Literary modernism has always been a medium for experimentation, especially so when it first emerged into the public sphere. With any good exploratory art form, there should be no rules, but there do tend to be some key techniques used, such as thematic imagery, stream of consciousness and absurdism.

Additionally, modernist literature is primarily focused on an individual character, following them as they adapt to a changing world through difficult circumstances and challenges. Sometimes there will be multiple perspectives, though they will usually be first-person and empathise the subjectivity of each character. We see into their head and innermost thoughts through introspection!

Especially in modernist poetry, traditional structures are often discarded in favour of free verse and more freeing forms. Usually, anything that lacks a consistent rhyme scheme, metrical pattern or lyricism is celebrated, including non-linear forms!

Examples of literary modernism

There are plenty of good examples of literary modernism out there from the original time period of its inception, but here are some classics that may be helpful to explore further…

• The Seafarer by Ezra Pound
• To The Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
• A Portrait Of The Artist As A Young Man by James Joyce
• dying is fine)but Death (or any of his poems, really!) by E.E. Cummings
• Hills Like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway

A modern classic!

That was all about literary modernism! It was such an interesting movement, with many famous texts coming from this time and the movement having a big influence on many coming authors and artists. Sample some for yourself!