The Moderns

1900-1950
Historical Context
 Modernism
Charles Darwin (survival
of the fittest)
Karl Marx (money and
class structure control a
nation)
Technological progress
Rise of the youth culture
WWI and WWII
Harlem Renaissance
 Modernism

Historians have Post-Industrial

described the period Revolution era, (moved
between the two World from an agrarian nation
Wars as a traumatic to an urban nation)
coming of age.
 Modernism

Thomas Hart Benton, Flood Disaster,

1951, Courtesy Southebys

John Marin, Landscape, 1951.

Movement occurred in
literature, painting, Wholesale rejection
music, arts. Individuals of traditional themes
seemed spiritually empty and subjects
and disillusioned.
 Modernism

Pursued and challenged

the promise of the
American Dream.

The American Dream

was dead (not real)
Modernism
Interest in the inner
workings of the human
mind: Stream of
Consciousness
Rejection of the ideal
Romantic hero as
infallible
Focused on the
alienation of the
individual in
modern society
End of innocence
Modernism Modernist writers
responded to the social and
political upheaval of the war

Embraced non traditional

syntax and forms

Challenged tradition

Move beyond Realism to

introduce such concepts as
disjointed timelines
 Arthur Miller

Born in New York City in

1915 to upper-middle
class
Great Depression
changed family
economics
Unable to attend college
until he earned money
by working in a
warehouse
 Attended the University
Arthur Miller of Michigan
Won several awards for
his plays
Pursued a career in
theater
 Arthur Miller
After writing the Death of
a Salesman (Millers play
in 1949) Congress
started hearings to
identify Communists

Miller was called to

testify before the
committee about
association with the
Communist Party
 Arthur Miller
Admitted he attended a
few meetings
Refused to name others
involved in the meetings
Miller was cited for
contempt of
Congress--later
overturned
Inspired Miller to write
The Crucible