The Moderns1914-1939

Time Period MarkersBegan with the start of WWI in

1914.◦People felt America had lost its

innocence.Ended with the start of WWII in

1939.◦The country pulled together and

became more optimistic.

Move to ModernismIdealism continued to lose

popularity as people realized that America was not a land of opportunity for everyone.

Modernism experimented with new forms of expression and rejected traditional styles.

The idea of the “lost generation” inspired lots of writing.

The American DreamAmerica as a New Eden

◦The same factors that boost a person also destroy that person.

A Belief in Progress◦Many Americans believe life will continue

to get better and that more prosperity, justice, and joy is in the future.

Triumph of the Individual◦Grown from Emerson’s idea, people

strive to be independent.

EntertainmentRadio

◦ War of the Worlds broadcast- people thought aliens were invading New York.

◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl_J4J2mQpQ

Movies◦ Hollywood produced

lots of movies that were optimistic and allowed people to escape the negative aspects of life.

Other InfluencesMarxism

◦Named after Karl Marx who proposed new ideas on how to change and improve society by implementing socialism.

Other InfluencesFreud

◦Sigmund Freud was a psychologist who theorized about the unconscious mind and human motivation. He interpreted dreams and helped blaze a path to cure mental illness in some people.

The New Literary HeroErnest Hemingway’s newly

defined hero displayed “grace under pressure” but is somehow disillusioned.

Stream of ConsciousnessInstead of narrating the story in

chronological order, we see the character’s perceptions and memories.

Poetic SymbolismThese poets tried to go beyond

describing objects, they used words to provoke emotions. (connotations)

Believed imagination was more reliable than reason. (Romanticism)

Poetic ImagismFeatured precise languageRejected the traditional

“prettiness” of poetry. (Stanzas and meter)

The apparition of these faces in the crowd;Petals on a wet, black bough.

As Mark Twain said…"The difference between the right

word and the almost-right word is the difference between the lightning and the lightning-bug."

Ezra PoundThe River-Merchant’s Wife: A

Letterhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v

=8Ob3Z_5lKWoWhat are the series of flashbacks

depicting?

William Carlos Williamshttp://writing.upenn.edu/pennsou

nd/x/Williams-WC.phpPage 669Is he really sorry?Can you turn a simple insincere

apology into a poem?

This is Just to Say…ParodyI have failedthe studentsthat were inmy classroom

and whichyou were probablywantingto graduate

Forgive methey were incorrigible so impenetrableand so obtuse

Reading“The Garden” pg. 652A Few Don’ts…pg. 653“The Red Wheelbarrow” pg. 657“The Great Figure” pg.668

This is in addition to the two poems included in this presentation.

After reading…How do these poems reflect the

characteristics of modern literature? Explain.

The Love Song of J. Alfred PrufrockDramatic Monologue- The

character speaks directly to the listeners.

Also features stream of consciousness

Character Profile- A character’s feelings, attitudes and views.

Protagonist- Central character in a work of literature.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhiCMAG658M

A Few Don’ts of an ImagisteDon’t use words that don’t reveal

anything. (Superfluous)Don’t be mediocre if it has

already been done better.Don’t imagine that poetry is

easier than any other form of art.

A Few Don’ts of an ImagisteHe compares:

◦A poet to a musician◦Writing poetry to a scientific

discovery◦Inaccurate words to vacuums of

slush

What does Hemingway say about writing?Handout, pg. 692

Soldier’s HomeAntihero- Contrasts with the

traditional hero. The traditional hero responds with courage and self-sacrifice. The antihero gives in to disillusionment, hopelessness, and inaction.

What parts of Hemingway’s speech mirror the character Krebs?

Soldier’s HomeWho is Harold Krebs? How is he

like Prufrock?◦Inauthentic◦Observer rather than participant◦Disillusioned and ineffectual

◦Handout

The Jilting of Granny WeatherallWhat does it mean to be jilted?What is a reflection?What are ambiguities?

Read the story on page 771 and answer questions 1-4, 6, 10-13.

ArchetypeThe original pattern or model

from which all things of the same kind are copied or on which they are based; a model or first form; prototype.

In literature there are character archetypes. These archetypes are universal.

Archetype characters are easy for audiences to identify and connect with.

The HeroA larger-than-life character that

often goes on a journey or quest. The hero demonstrates the qualities and abilities valued by his culture.

Ex. King Arthur, Odysseus, Beowulf, Luke Skywalker, Frodo

The Father FigureThe protector or leader. Oversees

others, not just the family, but the community as well. He guides with wisdom

Ex. Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird

The Mother FigureProtective nurturer and gentle

provider. Completes unselfish acts.

Ex. Harold’s mother in “Soldier’s Home”

The Fatal Woman/TemptressA woman who uses her power to

make men, especially the hero, weak. Powers include: intellect, magic, and beauty. Drawn to money and/or power.

Ex. Think of James Bond movies.

The WitchA woman, often old and

unattractive, who attempts to trap and destroy the protagonist. She may be disguised as young and pretty.

Ex. The Wicked Stepmother, the Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz.

Monster/VillainThe antagonist who is in

opposition to the hero.

Ex. The Big Bad Wolf from Little Red Riding Hood, Voldemort from Harry Potter

The InnocentAn inexperienced character that

is exposed to the evils of the world.

Ex. Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Cinderella, Rapunzel

The Alter Ego/DoubleShows the dual nature within a

person.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Incredible Hulk

Wise Old Man/Woman/AnimalHelps guide the protagonist

Ex. Yoda, Gandalf, Mr. Miagi

The Trickster/The FoolCharacters who trick others to

get what they want. It can be innocent or harmful. Incapable of recognizing the rules.

Ex. Cheshire Cat, Bart Simpson, Ferris Bueller

The UnderdogCharacter in the wrong place at

the wrong time, but usually wins something of value in the end.

Ex. The Ugly Duckling, Liz Lemon from 30 Rock

From Pugh/Robinson’s Archetypes

Thinking about archetypesWhich characters from American

literature can you classify into archetypes?

Note: there are additional archetypes not mentioned in your notes.

Modern Unit ProjectYou should have two of the four

activities finished by the end of the week.

Remember: all four project components are due on Thursday, April 21. This applies to all classes whether we meet on that day or not.

A Worn PathWhat archetypal character is

Phoenix Jackson?What does the name Phoenix

imply?Examples of dialect. What does

the dialect indicate?How do people treat Phoenix?

What does this show?

Thesis StatementsThesis statements are crucial to

an essay.Essential to project part four.Handout

Thesis ActivityImagine you had to write an

essay over the qualities of the modern hero, or antihero. Using the statement made by Joseph Campbell, create a thesis statement.

Sample ThesisWrite a thesis statement for the

written response you completed last time during class.

Response“The hero is today running up against a hard

world that is in no way responsive to his spiritual need.” Modern society has become a “stagnation of inauthentic lives and living…that evokes nothing of our spiritual life, our potentialities, or even our physical courage.” 

Campbell also said that the times we live in are hostile to heroism. Heroes are people of action, but the drudgery of modern life has made many people observers rather than participants in life’s adventures.

How does Prufrock fit the disillusioned and ineffectual protagonist of modern literature?

ExamplesThe hero of modern literature is a

disillusioned protagonist whose pretense causes him to observe rather than participate in society.

The modern hero is inauthentic causing him disillusionment and lack of participation in life’s adventures.

ThemeA sentence that explains the

overall message of the story or poem.

It’s the what the author wanted you to learn or take away from the text.

Theme is NOT a single word.Theme is NOT mood.Theme is NOT a summary of

events.

Theme What is the theme of “The Secret

Life of Walter Mitty”?

The Secret Life of Walter MittySomeone who is a “Walter Mitty”

is “a commonplace unadventurous person who seeks escape from reality through daydreaming and typically imagines himself leading a glamorous life and becoming famous.”

Filled with parodies. (A work that ridicules another work by imitating its style or content.)