MODERNISM intro

Quick-write
• How did the
events of
September 11th
change how
Americans
viewed their
world?
• How has it
changed our
culture?


MODERNISM
(1914
(1914–– 1940)
1940)

Learning
LearningTarget:
Target:IIcan
cansummarize
summarizethe
thetenants
tenantsof
of
modernism
modernism


What

What is
isModernism?
Modernism?
• Modernism reflects a loss of
faith in traditional values
and beliefs, including the
American Dream.
– Artistic/literary
movement
– Post World-War One
– Pessimistic picture of
culture in disarray
– Modern poets goal = rid
poetry of 19th century
prettiness &
sentimentality
– Rejected 19th century
optimism


The WORLD AS A WASTELAND


WORLD AS A WASTELAND
Before WWI


WORLD AS A WASTELAND
After WWI

WORLD AS A WASTELAND
Before WWI


WORLD AS A WASTELAND
After WWI


Q:
Q: What
What are
are some
some factors
factors that
that led
led
people
people during
during this
this time
time period
period to
to
lose
lose faith
faith in
in the
the American
American Dream?

Dream?
A:
-World War I &
disillusionment,
-Increase in
industrialization,
-Unfair labor
practices,
-Excessive drinking


Characteristics
Characteristics of
of
Modernism
Modernism
1.
1. instability
instability

2.
2. futility
futility


3.
3. pessimism
pessimism

4.
4. chaos
chaos
5.
5. Loss
Lossof
of faith
faith


6.
6. Collapse
Collapseof
of “Morality”
“Morality”

Prohibition, “flappers,”
more open about
sexuality, drug-use


7.
7. Disillusionment:
Disillusionment: aa feeling
feeling of
of

disappointment
disappointment resulting
resulting from

from the
the
discovery
discovery that
that something
something is
is not
not as
as good
good as
as
one
one believed
believed it
it to
to be
be


Characteristics
Characteristics of
of
Modern
Modern Literature
Literature
• New experiments with
form and technique in
both poetry and prose
• A new kind of hero
who is flawed and

disillusioned yet
honorable and
courageous
• Questioning of
traditional beliefs and
social structures


Introduction:
“The Second Coming”
BY : William Butler Y eats 1919
• After reading this poem,
answer the following
questions.
• Then SOAPSTone the
poem:
– How is this a good example of
modern poetry?
– What kind of world did Yeats
propose that we were entering
when he wrote this poem?
– How accurate was his
prophecy for the future?
– SOAPSTone


MODERNISM
REVIEW
and
andconnection

connectionto
to
The
The Great
Great Gatsby
Gatsby
Learning Targets:
•I can summarize the tenants of modernism
•I can explain how an author’s choice contributes
to overall meaning


What are the seven
Characteristics of Modernism?

1.
1. instability
instability

2.
2. futility
futility

3.
3. pessimism
pessimism

4.
4. chaos
chaos

5.
5. Loss
Lossof
of faith
faith

6.
6. Collapse
Collapseof
of
“Morality”
“Morality”

7.
7. Disillusionment
Disillusionment


DIRECTIONS: In the box to the right of the picture,
write down five details that you notice about the picture
below (what does image include in the foreground,
background? What colors are used? Is it inviting or
uninviting? etc).


What aspects of this
picture connect to the
modernist characteristics?
How does this picture

reflect the ideals of this
era?


Scene Capture:
PURPOSE: to connect the characteristics of modernism to The Great Gatsby

STEP 1: Read the assigned passage aloud to your group.
Take turns reading aloud to one another.
STEP 2: Complete job A, B, C, or D
(Themes: Hollowness of upper class, wealth as a
of power, disillusionment, failure of American
Dream)
STEP 3: Present to the class your poster
STEP 4: While listening, take notes on other groups’
presentations in your packet (there is a box for notes)
STEP 5: Fill out the questions in the packet under the
heading “Exit Slip”


Responding
Responding to
to Essential
Essential
Questions
Questions
Step 1: Write
the Essential
Question
word-for-word

in your notes.

Step 2: Write
2-3
sentences
relating to
the question.

**Responses should be an initial reaction,
personal experience, or answer to the



 Each theme topic relates to an
essential question.
 WRITE THESE DOWN and
formulate a response to each.
 Have essential questions in
mind while reading.
 These are just a few big ideas
found in the novel.