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Modernist Literature Key Concepts
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Surrealism
An aesthetic of combining the bizarre and the ordinary in art and literature to unlock the subconscious mind, reflecting Modernist interest in dreams and deeper truths.
Alienation
A central theme in Modernist literature, where characters are depicted as isolated from society and often from their own true selves, reflecting the fragmentation of the modern world.
Impressionism
Originating in painting, this movement influenced Modernist writers who sought to capture fleeting moments and the subjective perception of reality rather than objective truth.
Irony
A literary device frequently employed by Modernist writers to convey the contradictions between appearance and reality or the inadequacies of traditional values.
Motif
A recurring element or image in Modernist literature that symbolically signifies a theme or character, contributing to the work's overall structure and meaning.
Dystopia
Imaginary societies that are often depicted as nightmarish or oppressive, reflecting Modernist concerns with totalitarianism and the dehumanizing effects of technology.
Cubism
An art movement influential on Modernist literature, notable for its abstracted, geometric forms and the representation of multiple perspectives simultaneously, impacting narrative techniques.
The Lost Generation
A term used to describe the disillusioned post-WWI generation, featuring prominently in Modernist literature, with an underlying sense of disillusionment and loss of purpose.
Symbolism
Use of symbols to represent ideas and emotions in a nuanced, abstract manner, allowing Modernist writers to express the unrepresentable and complex nature of reality.
Decadence
Conveys the idea of moral, cultural, or aesthetic decline, often employed in Modernist literature to critique the opulence and superficiality of the contemporary world.
Free Verse
Poetry that does not follow regular rhyme or meter, reflecting the Modernist push for innovation and expression beyond the constraints of traditional forms.
Absurdism
A philosophy that human beings exist in a purposeless, chaotic universe, often explored in Modernist literature, particularly with characters confronting an irrational world.
Metafiction
A narrative technique where a text self-consciously draws attention to its own status as a work of fiction, thereby challenging conventional notions of truth and representation.
Montage
A filmmaking technique that involves editing and piecing together sections of film to form a continuous whole, which influenced Modernist literature's structure and form.
Existentialism
A philosophical movement embraced by Modernists, emphasizing individual existence, freedom, and choices. This is pivotal for characters questioning their place in a seemingly meaningless world.
Eliot's 'Objective Correlative'
T.S. Eliot's concept that art must evoke emotion through a pattern of objects, situations, or events rather than direct description, influential in Modernist poetics.
Juxtaposition
Placement of two or more ideas, characters, or actions side by side to develop comparisons and contrasts, used by Modernist authors to explore complex themes.
Parody
A narrative strategy used to humorously imitate and exaggerate specific works or genres, often to criticize or subvert underlying assumptions or societal norms.
Intertextuality
The interconnectedness within texts through reference, quotation, or imitation, highlighting the relational approach Modernists took to literature and reality.
Expressionism
An art and literature movement focused on representing emotional experience rather than physical reality, emphasizing subjective perspectives and inner feelings.
Pastiche
A literary technique that imitates various artistic styles and genres to create a new narrative voice or to satirize contemporary culture.
Ambiguity
A hallmark of Modernist texts, where meanings are uncertain or in flux, reflecting the indeterminate nature of truth and perception in the 20th century.
The Avant-garde
A term denoting new and experimental ideas and methods in art and literature, aiming to shock traditional audiences and push boundaries of conventional art.
Defamiliarization
An artistic technique used to make familiar objects or scenes seem strange, enhancing perception and calling attention to the process of artistic representation.
Stream of Consciousness
A narrative technique that presents thoughts as they occur in a character's mind, creating an intimate and chaotic portrayal of their psychological state. Key in representing the complexity of Modernist characters.
Primitivism
Modernists often sought inspiration from so-called 'primitive' cultures, art, and societies to critique the decadence of contemporary Western civilization and explore new aesthetic principles.
Unreliable Narrator
A narrator whose credibility is compromised, challenging readers to engage critically with the text and interpret layers of meaning.
Epiphany
A moment of sudden revelation or insight experienced by a character, often leading to a dramatic shift in perspective or self-understanding.
Fragmentation
A form and thematic concern in Modernist literature, characterized by a breakdown of structure and order, often mirrored in disjointed narratives and the multifaceted nature of reality.
Mythical Method
A narrative technique, as termed by T.S. Eliot, involving the use of mythological references and frameworks to give shape and significance to the modern world.
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