The Effect of Modernism on Ame

After World War I, American literature seemed to sway towards a distinctively pessimistic view of society. Out of the ashes of industrialism rose a significant form of literature called “modernism”. Modernism broke free from outdated romanticized morality and rejected nineteenth-century optimism. The modernist presented society to the idea that their culture was in disarray, which created a sense of apathy and apparent moral questioning. Modernism is a form of literature that forms a bond between the author and the reader. This bond tends to cause the reader to question their inbred beliefs and perhaps even ponder the thought that there are other answers to life questions then what one was taught to believe, perhaps even asks the reader to step beyond society’s traditional boundaries. The elements that are found within the modernistic writing are really what defines it. These characteristics are the presence of existentialism, alienation, complex play with form or language, and juxtaposition. Modernism was an attempt to cause society to break into something new and discard old beliefs that would no longer be useful to them through the use of these elements.

Complex play with language or syntax could do many different things for the reader. It could either cause the reader to identify with the character’s emotions or visual show a break from the proper use of syntax and grammar; yet again reflecting the modernistic need to avoid conformity. Zora Neale Hurston was popular for writing with local color. But she wrote differently than the realistic writers, Hurson literally wrote in slang and spelled out the pronunciation. She writes in “The Six Gilded Bits” with such slang as “Humph! Ah’m way behind time t’day! Joe gointer be heah ‘fore Ah git mah clothes on if Ah don’t make haste.” (Hurston, 1165) Through usage of this Hurston caused the reader to slow down and read more slowly, making every word just as important as the one preceding it. She puts the reader into the character’s shoes and causes them to identify with their problems and come up with choices that need to be considered in order to overcome their dilemma.

Some topics in this essay:
Snowy Evening”, War American, Countee Cullen, Vincent Millay’s, Gilded Bits”, Prince Hamlet, Alfred Prufrock”, Neale Hurston, Fool” Elliot, Robert Frost’s, cause reader, edna st vincent, modernistic writing, form literature, american literature, juxtaposition modernism, complex play, woods signify, st vincent, edna st, conscious mind,