Modernism: Defining a New Era in Art and Thought

Modernism: A Cultural and Artistic Revolution

Modernism represents a deliberate break with traditional forms of art and literature, fostering experimentation in writing and other creative fields. Later in the 20th century, works that extended and developed modernist approaches are referred to as *postmodernist*. Culture in general was profoundly transformed by mass media, notably film and television. There was a significant move to close the gap between popular and highbrow culture. Experimentation and individualism became virtues, whereas in the past they were often discouraged.

Origins and Core Principles of Modernism

Modernism was set in motion, in one sense, through a series of cultural shocks. The first of these great shocks was the **Great War**, which ravaged Europe from 1914 through 1918. Writers who adopted the Modernist point of view often did so quite deliberately and self-consciously. In contrast to the Romantic worldview, Modernists cared less for nature or the overarching structures of history. Instead of progress and growth, the Modernist intelligentsia perceived decay and a *growing alienation of the individual*.

Modernism: Reconstructing Belief in a New World

Modernism may be seen as an attempt to reconstruct the world in the absence of belief, characterized by:

1. A strong and intentional break with tradition. This break includes a strong reaction against established religious, political, and social views.
2. The belief that the world is created in the act of perceiving it; that is, the world is what we say it is.
3. The conviction that there is no such thing as absolute truth. All things are relative.
4. A perceived disconnection from history or institutions. Their experience is often one of alienation, loss, and despair.
5. A deep concern with the subconscious mind.
6. The view that life is unordered and fragmented.

Foundations of Modernism: Lost Community and Civilization

Modernism was also built on a profound sense of lost community and civilization, manifesting in:

• An increasing sense of individual alienation.
• A questioning of what had gone before, and also a questioning of the future.
• A critique of modern culture and the achievements of Western civilization.
• An often pessimistic tone.
• A strong focus on psychological themes.

The Impact of War on Modernist Thought

Modernist authors felt betrayed by the war, believing the institutions in which they had been taught to believe had led the civilized world into a bloody conflict. They no longer considered these institutions reliable means to access the meaning of life, and therefore turned inward to discover the answers.