Modernism
is a literary and artistic movement that began in the late 19th century and departed from previous
traditional and classical forms of art and literature.
Modernism rejected all the movements that became before it, arguing that these forms of
representation no longer adequately reflected the new forms of society.
The key points of Modernism are:
Many creatives broke from traditional forms of writing as they did not best reflect the
struggles and issues of society.
Modernism grew out of a critical turning point in nearly every area of civilization; it is
marked by profound shifts in human perception.
This was a time of increasing internalization of narration in literature, with aspects such
as stream of consciousness, rejection of narrative continuity, and non-linear chronology.
Characteristics of Modernism in Literature
The tremendous social upheavals brought everything into doubt that was once fixed. The world
was no longer reliable and set. Instead, it became slippery and dependent on one's perspective
and subjectivity. Requiring new models to express this uncertainty, Modernism is characterized
by experimentation in form, multi-perspectives, interiority and non-linear timelines.
Experimentation
Modernist writers experimented with their writing styles and broke with previous storytelling
conventions. They went against narrative conventions and formulaic verse by writing fragmented
stories to represent the state of society after great upheavals.
Ezra Pound's 'Make it new!' statement in 1934 about the Modernist movement emphasizes the
role of experimentation. This slogan was an attempt to encourage writers and poets to be
innovative in their writing and experiment with new writing styles.1
Modernist poets also rejected traditional conventions and rhyme schemes and started to write
in free verse.
Free verse is a poetic form that does not have a consistent rhyme scheme, musical form or
metrical pattern.
Modernism Movement: Themes
Individualism & Alienation
Modernist writers focused on individuals instead of society. They followed the lives of these
characters, coming to terms with a changing world and overcoming their trials and tribulations.
Often these individuals felt alienated from their world. Caught up in the rapid pace of modernity,
the characters are unable to find their bearings in the constantly changing environment through
no fault of their own.
Nihilism
Modernism was inspired by the philosophy of nihilism in the sense that it rejected moral and
religious principles that were perceived as the only way to achieve social progress. Modernists
often believed that for people to be their authentic selves, individuals needed to be free from the
overwhelming and restrictive control of conventions.
Nihilism is the philosophy that holds that all beliefs and values are intrinsically senseless. As
such, life has no intrinsic meaning.
Absurdity
War made a significant impact on the public and also on writers. As poets and writers died or
were greatly wounded during World War I, globalisation and capitalism re-created society. This
contradiction in people's lives created a sense of absurdity. Franz Kafka's novella The
Metamorphosis (1915) presents the absurdity of modern life when the protagonist, a travelling
salesman, wakes up one day as a giant cockroach.
Absurdism is a branch of Modernism that finds the modern world meaningless, and thus all
attempts to find meaning are inherently absurd. Unlike Nihilism, Absurdism found positivity in
this meaninglessness, arguing that if all is meaningless anyway, you might as well have fun.
Postmodernism:
In literary criticism and theory, postmodernism is an analytical tool that focuses on the
sociopolitical underpinnings and motivations of literature concerning the individual. Much of the
postmodern literary theory is made up of or inspired by the philosophical or critical discourse
proposed by theorists that were not originally intended for literary criticism.
Postmodernism is a critique of modernity and modernist values. The postmodern era began in the
1960s when French thinkers like Jacques Derrida, Jean-François Lyotard, Jean Baudrillard, and
Michel Foucault rose to prominence. The term 'postmodern' came into popular use with the
publication of The Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge (1984) by the French
philosopher Jean-François Lyotard.
Postmodern literary theory: practices
An interesting aspect of postmodernism is its interconnectedness with different theories of
culture.
For example, postmodernism is influenced by the material approach to society and culture
followed by Marxists. Many postmodern theorists began their careers from a Marxist perspective
or by commenting on Marxist theories. Some postmodern ideas offer a sharp commentary on the
evolution of the capitalist society to its present stage.
Characteristics of Postmodernism 1. There is no absolute truth 2. Facts and
falsehoods are interchangeable 3. Frustrated with modern thinking 4. Rationalization is
the norm 5. Global community more important than nationalism 6. All religions deserve
equal recognition 7. Morality is individualistic
What is hyperrealism postmodernism?
In postmodernism, hyperrealism is the theory that the boundaries between reality and the copies
or representations of reality are no longer recognizable. Jean Baudrillard, the French philosopher
and cultural theorist who put forward the concept of hyperreality, identified several facets of
postmodern life that display hyperreality, such as media culture, consumerism, the internet and
so on.
postmodern analysis of William Golding's "Lord of the Flies":
1. Deconstruction of Civilizational Constructs: Golding's "Lord of the Flies" undertakes a
postmodern deconstruction of prevailing convictions regarding the inherent benevolence of
civilization. The narrative dismantles the conventional dichotomy of civilization as synonymous
with goodness, exposing the fragility of societal structures.
"We did everything adults would do. What went wrong?" - This quote reflects the perplexity
surrounding the breakdown of expected societal norms, inviting readers to question established
assumptions about civilization.
2. Linguistic Deterioration and Communication Breakdown: A postmodern lens reveals the
linguistic discord among the stranded boys, reflecting the poststructuralist concern with
language's limitations. The breakdown in communication becomes emblematic of the precarious
nature of shared understanding.
3. Identity Fragmentation and Ambiguity: The characters in "Lord of the Flies" undergo a
postmodern exploration of identity, challenging essentialist notions. The characters, particularly
Piggy, Jack, and Ralph, embody fluid and fragmented identities, resisting fixed categorizations.
"What are we? Humans? Or animals? Or savages?" - This inquiry epitomizes the characters'
internal struggle and the overarching theme of identity fragmentation, inviting an examination of
the multiplicity inherent in human nature.
4. Power Dynamics and Deconstruction of Authority: Golding's narrative engages in a
postmodern critique of power structures, wherein authority is not a stable entity but subject to
continual deconstruction and reconfiguration. The power struggle between characters becomes
an allegory for the arbitrary and mutable nature of authority.
5. Metafictional Implications: Though not overtly metafictional, "Lord of the Flies" assumes a
postmodern tenor through its allegorical elements, urging readers to view the narrative as a
constructed text with layers of interpretation, aligning with postmodern skepticism towards
singular, objective truths.
6. Multiplicity of Perspectives: The novel invites a postmodern exploration of truth by
presenting events from diverse perspectives, challenging the notion of a singular, fixed reality.
Readers are encouraged to consider alternative interpretations, highlighting the polysemic nature
of the narrative.
"What I mean is... maybe it's only us." - This statement encapsulates the subjective nature of
perception and the acknowledgment that reality is contingent upon individual perspectives.
