Modernism

Background and Reason for

Modernism

Modernism was a philosophical movement

that arose in the late 19th and early 20th
centuries, mainly in North America but also
occured in Europe (France, England, Spain).

Modernism was based on a vision of human

life and society and a belief in progress.
Characteristics of Modernism

-Major causes of Modernism was

WW1, urbanization and technology.
-With so many scientific and
technological discoveries, society had
to reinvent themselves in order to keep
pace with the movement.
-Rejected all religious morals and
principles just to obtain social progress.
Ideology of Modernism
-During modernism the US was undergoing
an industrial boom. This brought critical
thinkers into the spotlight and they quickly
started voicing their opinions through there
works.
-The major topics brought up by the modern
writers involved development and concerns
of modern urban life.
Themes found in Modernism
As writers moved on from natural sources of inspiration
they began looking at more complex problems and topics.
-Alienation: the protagonist were usually in search of
knowledge which led to isolating themselves to enhance
the path to knowledge
-Rejection of social systems: emphasizes on how a man’s
place in the world is important to one’s well being (Life)
-Search for truth: Doubt in Purpose of Life/ Religion
-Objection of Religion: Christianity was doubted
-Effects of world wars: Society was dealing with a lot of
trauma and stress so authors began to contemplate the
effects of the wars on the society
Modern Art Themes

Fauvism: Displayed the supremacy of color over Cubism: Fragmentation of objects into abstract
form geometric forms

Abstract painting: Payed attention to lines, Vorticism: Incorporates the idea of motion and
color, shape as subjects of painting change
Architecture

Sagrada Familia Basilica, Spain

Casa Vicens, Spain

Casa Batlló, Spain

Major Writers And Works
T. S. Eliot -Essayist,publisher,playwright- The Waste Land,
Four Quartets
William Faulkner-known for his novels and won the nobel
prize. Novel: The Hamlet
James Joyce-Novelist,short story writer,poet - Ulysses
F. Scott Fitzgerald -American Fiction writer- The Great
Gatsby
Ernest Hemingway-American journalist,novelist, and short
story - Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway
Albert Einstein -Theoretical physicist- The Theory of
General Relativity
Activity Time

Hangman

Hint: The Word was Used in a previous slide

----------
 “
The word was
Alienation
 Questions
When did the modernism era occur?
A - Late 19th Century - Early 20th Century
B - During WWI
C - Early 19th Century - Late 20th Century
Short Story

-A Clean, Well-Lighted Place

By Ernest Hemingway