amyamyamy14
05-30-2012, 07:02 PM
It is a literature essay which discusses the differences in modernism and postmodernism. It also has to focus on 2 works I studied, so I chose Yeat's "The Second Coming" and Pound's "In A Station of the Metro".
Criteria:
• Coherence and persuasiveness of argument
• Clarity of expression and coherence in terms of essay structure
• Relevant deployment of secondary source material
• Engagement with the relevant issues raised by the question
• Evidence of reading and engagement with the texts discussed
Modernism and Postmodernism both had massive impacts on the worlds they were introduced in. The impact did not only extend to literature, but also to film, art, music, and most creative art forms. In literature, Modernism led to the experimentation of contrasting textual forms that broke away from traditional forms to create something new (Lewis xvii). Postmodernism literature however saw artists use a variety of varying techniques, bringing together visual and verbal art forms. They also ridiculed the seriousness of modernism (Mikics 240). This essay will discuss areas such a contexts, religion, the Avant-garde movement, Imagism, haiku poems, poetry form, time and subject matter of both movements and why they differentiate. This essay will also place emphasis on “The Second Coming” (1920) by William Butler Yeats and “In A Station of the Metro” (1913) by Ezra Pound, and their importance to the Modernist movement. The differences between Modernism and Postmodernism were both historically and theoretically apparent, with Modernism being more the influential movement.
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The differences in contexts and influences of Modernism and Postmodernism are historically apparent. The atrocities of World War One became a catalyst for Modernist literature in Britain and Ireland (Allison 115). The effect war had on Irish poetry is palpable in “The Second Coming”. Yeats wrote this poem during the aftermath of World War One and the Russian Revolution. When Yeats writes about the terror in the world, he is referring to the Russian Revolution of 1917. In a letter he wrote to AW in early 1919 he states that Marxist values are “leading to enviable murder” (Allison 215-6). Yeats implies in the poem that the Russian Revolution is similar to an approaching Apocalypse. Postmodernism however tends to focus on post war after World War Two. Postmodern world was less protected and inviting then the modern world (Sim xiii). It is evident that Feminism also had an influence on literature of Postmodernism, especially when looking at the work of Adrienne Rich, and too some extent Sylvia Plath. Modernism and Postmodernism are dissimilar in this case as whilst the aftermath of World War One was about doom and gloom, after World War Two prosperity occurred, especially in America. This is why Postmodernism was able to ridicule the seriousness of modernism, because their after war experiences were different and less gloomy then the experiences during Modernism.
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The religious differences between Modernism and Postmodernism are visible when looking at the theological differences of the movements. Modernism attempted to bring back together modern science and philosophy with historical Christianity (O'Leary 115). This shows that Modernists wanted to reunite their older traditional views of religion, with the developments in scientific thinking to create unity. In Christianity, the focus on God being immanent as opposed to transcendent also played a key role in the Modernist movement. (Grenz and Olson 11). What this means is that instead of believing God is above the people, he is in the world. The use of religion is clear in “The Second Coming” as the poem’s title makes reference to the supposed second coming of Jesus. It can also be viewed that Yeats is drawing reference to the flood in Genesis, especially when he states “The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere” (5). This shows that religion influenced poets like Yeats in Modernism. In Postmodern society, individual religions are promoted, as there are no absolute. Also, according to Postmodernism there is no universal religion, and those laws and ethics are shaped by the cultural context that they are in (Shaw 112-3). This implies that Postmodernism has a relative approach to religion and society as the morality of a situation depends on culture or place. Another aspect of religion in Postmodernism is what is known as the ‘Salad-bar Religion’. This is when individuals will select different aspects of religions to form their individual spirituality (Kimball 54). This entails that Postmodernism is accepting of a pluralist society, where different ideas are accepted and incorporated into everyday life. Modernism and Postmodernism are different theologically, as Postmodernism does not accept the fact that Christianity has all the answers, and that theology is about the individual.
*
Avant-garde, a form of cultural politics, aimed to vigorously influence the media to create attention to artists work by releasing scandalous manifestoes and statements, readings, interviews, and exhibitions (Nadel 47). Pound with his poet friends started Imagism, a poetic movement. Ira Bruce Nadel argues that Imagism is the most “important single movement in English language poetry of the twentieth century” (48). Imagism was known to affect the vast majority of poets from Pound’s generation (Nadel 48). This shows the impact and influence Pound had with his peers and fellow poets. In Pound’s essay “A Few Don’ts by an Imagist” (1913) he states that sharp language should be used and any words that reveal something like adjectives should not be incorporated in poetry (Brooker 11). Pound’s most influential Imagist poem, “In A Station of the Metro” is restrictive, placing view on the current moment, the physical surroundings, as well as the human eye (Mikics 153). The poem also displays Imagism, as there are no adjectives present. Postmodernists did not generally accept imagism, especially Robert Pinsky. Pinsky, in his manifestoes labeled imagism as repulsive. He states that imagism tends to “convey the powerful illusion that a poet presents, rather than tell about, a sensory experience…” (Pinsky 3). This shows that one of the reasons Postmodernism did not accept imagism, as it went against the sensory experience of literature. Because a feature of imagism was the use of sharp and clear language, writers cannot elaborate on what they are smelling, touching, and hearing, as it is not clear and precise. Therefore, Modernism and Postmodernism are singular as they have differing views on imagism and the representation of objects.
*
Haiku poems played an important role in the Modernist movement. Poets during the modernist movement used haiku poems for experimentation. Haiku poems aim to convey a single idea, feeling, or image, usually through nature. Imagists favored the form as it played close attention to effect.* Ezra Pound’s Haiku poems are short imagist poems, which juxtapose the natural world, to the world of humankind (Gillies and Mahood 71-2). This is apparent in “In a Station of the Metro”, Pound compares the emotions of the people rushing in the subway to the natural objects such puddles and flowers. Postmodern Haiku poems differ, as they do not follow the traditional syllable pattern that states the first and third lines should consist of five syllables, and the second line should consist of 7 syllables. Haiku poems during Postmodernism tend to focus on the ironies of human life (Martiny 279). This shows that even though both movements adopted Haiku poems, the way they have been used and presented is contrastive.
*
Form plays an important role in the distinction of the two movements. Notable features of a Modernist poem include open form and free verse. Open form and free verse poetry involves not adhering to fixed or traditional rules and styles. These poems do not need to rhyme nor does there have to be a certain pattern. In “The Second Coming”, there is no formal structure to the words, nor is there any rhyming. When looking at “In A Station of the Metro”, there is no rhyming evident. In post-modernism there is no set rules in regards to form. Juxtaposition is a primary feature of modern literature. Juxtaposition refers to how writers make linguistic associations by putting words, phrases, and sentences neighboring each other. Modernist poets put emphasis on juxtaposing fragmentary images and motifs. (Rapaport 108). “In A Station of the Metro” juxtaposes faces of the surrounding people to the petals on the bough. Pound does not use a metaphor in regards to these two things, just a comparison between them because they are different (Yu 23). Blank verses and the use of iambic pentameter became popular in Modernist texts. In iambic pentameter sentences there is alternation between five unaccented and five accented syllables (Wolosky 202). Yeats uses iambic pentameter in “The Second Coming” to some extent. It is not used as often in the poem, especially due to the thirteenth line having over ten syllables. Most of the lines in the poem do have ten syllables in them. The use of this rhythm pattern dominantly by Yeats implies that the emphasis is based on the wrongdoings of the people. Postmodernism however struggles to have a definite form (Appleby 181). Where Modernism looks to find meaning in a chaotic world, postmodernism attempts to stray away from this meaning. Modernism has certain rules in regards to form, as opposed to Postmodernism who is open mined about the issue.
*
Time also plays a role in the distinction between Modernism and Postmodernism. In Modernism, time in literature is linear; meaning that time has a beginning and an ending. An aspect of linear time is that it creates suspense. Suspense allows literature to become dramatised as it focuses on the future, as opposed to the past or the present. It also entails that the destiny of characters and their problems must be built up (Hoffmann 321). It is apparent in “The Second Coming” that the plot is building up to an event, in this case the arrival of a monstrous being. There is progression in the poem as it begins with the falcon flying and getting lost, it then discusses to the anarchy of the people, from here it looks at the new vision of the speaker, it finishes with stating that a beast is on route to Bethlehem to be born. This shows that the poem has a beginning and an end. The beginning being the falcon getting lost, and the ending is the anticipated arrival of the monstrous being. In Postmodernism time follows a cyclical cycle, meaning that time follows a never ending structure. The difference between the two movements has an impact on the way texts finish. For example, because Postmodernism is recurring, narratives will keep on going, until there is a resolution. In Modernism however there is a definite end. The two are consequently different as they have diverse implications on how a narrative should be structured and how they should end.
*
Both movements demonstrate distinctive differences. In Modernism, the subject matters usually deal with technology, daily living, or current events in the time period of the text (Humm 216). In “The Second Coming”, the speaker is dealing with the aftermath World War One; this is clear as he is discussing devastation and damage. When he states, “Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold” (3), he could be referring to a range of things including structure in society, to infrastructure. Subject matter’s in Modernism tends to be centered on modernity, and the portrayal of modern life and the urban and technological aspects of life (Humm 217). The subject matter in Modernism also tends to be Cartesian subject, defined as an individual who finds unity by thinking and having awareness of their own being (Jackson 15). The speaker in “The Second Coming” is a Cartesian subject as he is constantly thinking not only for humanity, but also for his own wellbeing. The subject matter in Postmodernism tends to be a symbolic object, which is represented by different signs and symbols. (Taylor and Winquist 212). This is different from Modernism, as there is more emphasis on the subject matter as a symbol.
*
To conclude, there is a range of differences when looking at Modernism and Postmodernism. Not only are the contexts different, but their views on religion, form, and techniques are also opposing. But when comparing them both, it is clear that Modernism had more of an impact in the literary world then Postmodernism has had. Modernism led to some of literature’s greatest works to be created, such as The Waste Land (1922) by T.S Eliot, Ulysses (1922) by James Joyce and The Great Gatsby (1925) by Scott. F. Fitzgerald. The Modernist period saw development in literary techniques and movements, such as Pound’s Imagism and the growth in popularity of Avant-garde. Postmodernism however did not believe in the rules of Modernism, and allowed freedom over the use of form (Appleby 181). It can be interpreted that the developments in Modernism were as a result of the ideas of writers, as opposed to Postmodernism whose ideas were founded by scholars and academics. Modernism is that important to the literary world that without its ideas and discoveries, there would not be Postmodernism.
Criteria:
• Coherence and persuasiveness of argument
• Clarity of expression and coherence in terms of essay structure
• Relevant deployment of secondary source material
• Engagement with the relevant issues raised by the question
• Evidence of reading and engagement with the texts discussed
Modernism and Postmodernism both had massive impacts on the worlds they were introduced in. The impact did not only extend to literature, but also to film, art, music, and most creative art forms. In literature, Modernism led to the experimentation of contrasting textual forms that broke away from traditional forms to create something new (Lewis xvii). Postmodernism literature however saw artists use a variety of varying techniques, bringing together visual and verbal art forms. They also ridiculed the seriousness of modernism (Mikics 240). This essay will discuss areas such a contexts, religion, the Avant-garde movement, Imagism, haiku poems, poetry form, time and subject matter of both movements and why they differentiate. This essay will also place emphasis on “The Second Coming” (1920) by William Butler Yeats and “In A Station of the Metro” (1913) by Ezra Pound, and their importance to the Modernist movement. The differences between Modernism and Postmodernism were both historically and theoretically apparent, with Modernism being more the influential movement.
*
The differences in contexts and influences of Modernism and Postmodernism are historically apparent. The atrocities of World War One became a catalyst for Modernist literature in Britain and Ireland (Allison 115). The effect war had on Irish poetry is palpable in “The Second Coming”. Yeats wrote this poem during the aftermath of World War One and the Russian Revolution. When Yeats writes about the terror in the world, he is referring to the Russian Revolution of 1917. In a letter he wrote to AW in early 1919 he states that Marxist values are “leading to enviable murder” (Allison 215-6). Yeats implies in the poem that the Russian Revolution is similar to an approaching Apocalypse. Postmodernism however tends to focus on post war after World War Two. Postmodern world was less protected and inviting then the modern world (Sim xiii). It is evident that Feminism also had an influence on literature of Postmodernism, especially when looking at the work of Adrienne Rich, and too some extent Sylvia Plath. Modernism and Postmodernism are dissimilar in this case as whilst the aftermath of World War One was about doom and gloom, after World War Two prosperity occurred, especially in America. This is why Postmodernism was able to ridicule the seriousness of modernism, because their after war experiences were different and less gloomy then the experiences during Modernism.
*
*
The religious differences between Modernism and Postmodernism are visible when looking at the theological differences of the movements. Modernism attempted to bring back together modern science and philosophy with historical Christianity (O'Leary 115). This shows that Modernists wanted to reunite their older traditional views of religion, with the developments in scientific thinking to create unity. In Christianity, the focus on God being immanent as opposed to transcendent also played a key role in the Modernist movement. (Grenz and Olson 11). What this means is that instead of believing God is above the people, he is in the world. The use of religion is clear in “The Second Coming” as the poem’s title makes reference to the supposed second coming of Jesus. It can also be viewed that Yeats is drawing reference to the flood in Genesis, especially when he states “The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere” (5). This shows that religion influenced poets like Yeats in Modernism. In Postmodern society, individual religions are promoted, as there are no absolute. Also, according to Postmodernism there is no universal religion, and those laws and ethics are shaped by the cultural context that they are in (Shaw 112-3). This implies that Postmodernism has a relative approach to religion and society as the morality of a situation depends on culture or place. Another aspect of religion in Postmodernism is what is known as the ‘Salad-bar Religion’. This is when individuals will select different aspects of religions to form their individual spirituality (Kimball 54). This entails that Postmodernism is accepting of a pluralist society, where different ideas are accepted and incorporated into everyday life. Modernism and Postmodernism are different theologically, as Postmodernism does not accept the fact that Christianity has all the answers, and that theology is about the individual.
*
Avant-garde, a form of cultural politics, aimed to vigorously influence the media to create attention to artists work by releasing scandalous manifestoes and statements, readings, interviews, and exhibitions (Nadel 47). Pound with his poet friends started Imagism, a poetic movement. Ira Bruce Nadel argues that Imagism is the most “important single movement in English language poetry of the twentieth century” (48). Imagism was known to affect the vast majority of poets from Pound’s generation (Nadel 48). This shows the impact and influence Pound had with his peers and fellow poets. In Pound’s essay “A Few Don’ts by an Imagist” (1913) he states that sharp language should be used and any words that reveal something like adjectives should not be incorporated in poetry (Brooker 11). Pound’s most influential Imagist poem, “In A Station of the Metro” is restrictive, placing view on the current moment, the physical surroundings, as well as the human eye (Mikics 153). The poem also displays Imagism, as there are no adjectives present. Postmodernists did not generally accept imagism, especially Robert Pinsky. Pinsky, in his manifestoes labeled imagism as repulsive. He states that imagism tends to “convey the powerful illusion that a poet presents, rather than tell about, a sensory experience…” (Pinsky 3). This shows that one of the reasons Postmodernism did not accept imagism, as it went against the sensory experience of literature. Because a feature of imagism was the use of sharp and clear language, writers cannot elaborate on what they are smelling, touching, and hearing, as it is not clear and precise. Therefore, Modernism and Postmodernism are singular as they have differing views on imagism and the representation of objects.
*
Haiku poems played an important role in the Modernist movement. Poets during the modernist movement used haiku poems for experimentation. Haiku poems aim to convey a single idea, feeling, or image, usually through nature. Imagists favored the form as it played close attention to effect.* Ezra Pound’s Haiku poems are short imagist poems, which juxtapose the natural world, to the world of humankind (Gillies and Mahood 71-2). This is apparent in “In a Station of the Metro”, Pound compares the emotions of the people rushing in the subway to the natural objects such puddles and flowers. Postmodern Haiku poems differ, as they do not follow the traditional syllable pattern that states the first and third lines should consist of five syllables, and the second line should consist of 7 syllables. Haiku poems during Postmodernism tend to focus on the ironies of human life (Martiny 279). This shows that even though both movements adopted Haiku poems, the way they have been used and presented is contrastive.
*
Form plays an important role in the distinction of the two movements. Notable features of a Modernist poem include open form and free verse. Open form and free verse poetry involves not adhering to fixed or traditional rules and styles. These poems do not need to rhyme nor does there have to be a certain pattern. In “The Second Coming”, there is no formal structure to the words, nor is there any rhyming. When looking at “In A Station of the Metro”, there is no rhyming evident. In post-modernism there is no set rules in regards to form. Juxtaposition is a primary feature of modern literature. Juxtaposition refers to how writers make linguistic associations by putting words, phrases, and sentences neighboring each other. Modernist poets put emphasis on juxtaposing fragmentary images and motifs. (Rapaport 108). “In A Station of the Metro” juxtaposes faces of the surrounding people to the petals on the bough. Pound does not use a metaphor in regards to these two things, just a comparison between them because they are different (Yu 23). Blank verses and the use of iambic pentameter became popular in Modernist texts. In iambic pentameter sentences there is alternation between five unaccented and five accented syllables (Wolosky 202). Yeats uses iambic pentameter in “The Second Coming” to some extent. It is not used as often in the poem, especially due to the thirteenth line having over ten syllables. Most of the lines in the poem do have ten syllables in them. The use of this rhythm pattern dominantly by Yeats implies that the emphasis is based on the wrongdoings of the people. Postmodernism however struggles to have a definite form (Appleby 181). Where Modernism looks to find meaning in a chaotic world, postmodernism attempts to stray away from this meaning. Modernism has certain rules in regards to form, as opposed to Postmodernism who is open mined about the issue.
*
Time also plays a role in the distinction between Modernism and Postmodernism. In Modernism, time in literature is linear; meaning that time has a beginning and an ending. An aspect of linear time is that it creates suspense. Suspense allows literature to become dramatised as it focuses on the future, as opposed to the past or the present. It also entails that the destiny of characters and their problems must be built up (Hoffmann 321). It is apparent in “The Second Coming” that the plot is building up to an event, in this case the arrival of a monstrous being. There is progression in the poem as it begins with the falcon flying and getting lost, it then discusses to the anarchy of the people, from here it looks at the new vision of the speaker, it finishes with stating that a beast is on route to Bethlehem to be born. This shows that the poem has a beginning and an end. The beginning being the falcon getting lost, and the ending is the anticipated arrival of the monstrous being. In Postmodernism time follows a cyclical cycle, meaning that time follows a never ending structure. The difference between the two movements has an impact on the way texts finish. For example, because Postmodernism is recurring, narratives will keep on going, until there is a resolution. In Modernism however there is a definite end. The two are consequently different as they have diverse implications on how a narrative should be structured and how they should end.
*
Both movements demonstrate distinctive differences. In Modernism, the subject matters usually deal with technology, daily living, or current events in the time period of the text (Humm 216). In “The Second Coming”, the speaker is dealing with the aftermath World War One; this is clear as he is discussing devastation and damage. When he states, “Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold” (3), he could be referring to a range of things including structure in society, to infrastructure. Subject matter’s in Modernism tends to be centered on modernity, and the portrayal of modern life and the urban and technological aspects of life (Humm 217). The subject matter in Modernism also tends to be Cartesian subject, defined as an individual who finds unity by thinking and having awareness of their own being (Jackson 15). The speaker in “The Second Coming” is a Cartesian subject as he is constantly thinking not only for humanity, but also for his own wellbeing. The subject matter in Postmodernism tends to be a symbolic object, which is represented by different signs and symbols. (Taylor and Winquist 212). This is different from Modernism, as there is more emphasis on the subject matter as a symbol.
*
To conclude, there is a range of differences when looking at Modernism and Postmodernism. Not only are the contexts different, but their views on religion, form, and techniques are also opposing. But when comparing them both, it is clear that Modernism had more of an impact in the literary world then Postmodernism has had. Modernism led to some of literature’s greatest works to be created, such as The Waste Land (1922) by T.S Eliot, Ulysses (1922) by James Joyce and The Great Gatsby (1925) by Scott. F. Fitzgerald. The Modernist period saw development in literary techniques and movements, such as Pound’s Imagism and the growth in popularity of Avant-garde. Postmodernism however did not believe in the rules of Modernism, and allowed freedom over the use of form (Appleby 181). It can be interpreted that the developments in Modernism were as a result of the ideas of writers, as opposed to Postmodernism whose ideas were founded by scholars and academics. Modernism is that important to the literary world that without its ideas and discoveries, there would not be Postmodernism.