contemporary/postmodern literature (1950-present)
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Contemporary/Postmodern Literature (1950-Present). Lit Book pg. 905. Major Events/Eras 1945 : the Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima brings in the Nuclear Age Mushroom cloud represents both the height of scientific ingenuity and its potential for total destruction - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Contemporary/Postmodern Literature(1950-Present)
Lit Book pg. 905
Major Events/Eras• 1945: the Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima brings in the Nuclear
Age– Mushroom cloud represents both the height
of scientific ingenuity and its potential for total destruction
• 1960s: Vietnam war sharply divides the nation, causes American disillusionment (again)
• 1970s: The Watergate Scandal and America’s Bicentennial sharply contrast disappointment and patriotism
• 1980s: Regarded as the “Me Generation”; saw the end of the Cold War
• Has the concept of the individual been lost in the fast-paced, computerized world?
Contemporary Fiction• Postmodernism: a term still being defined; sees contemporary
culture as change from modernism• Postmodern writers allow for multiple meanings and multiple
worlds• Postmodernists ask themselves, “Why choose one version? Why
limit ourselves?”• Structured in nontraditional forms and does not follow
conventional rules• Literature comments upon and critique itself; encourages readers
to come up with their own interpretation• Contemporary fiction incredibly diverse, blends genres and time
periods• Gallows Humor: ironic humor arising from acknowledging the
absurd or grotesque
Contemporary Nonfiction• Since the 1970s, nonfiction also
considered art• Problems with nonfiction:– Traditional literary terms don’t apply– Ideas of accuracy and truth
• New Journalism– Uses literary devices– Does not keep personal opinions/
experiences out of writing
Truman Capote
Tom Wolfe
Hunter S.Thompson
Contemporary Poetry• Modernist poetry (impersonal and intellectual)
declined after WWII• Poets felt the need to challenge 1950s culture of
conformity• The Beat Poets– Focused on ideas of
nonconformity and self expression (Howl by Allen Ginsberg)
– Beat lifestyle included poetry, jazz, late night coffee houses
– Places like San Francisco and Greenwich Village (NYC)
I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness…
Contemporary Poetry• Confessional School – Poets focused on their own private
lives (unlike the Moderns)– Deals with personal experiences frankly
and sometimes brutally• Overall, American poetry since the
1970s characterized by its diversity, reflecting growing diversity of American audiences
Full Circle• Contemporary fiction still deals with universal
themes as American Literature from the 1800s• Today’s literature takes influence from
Transcendentalists, Dark Romantics…. and even the Puritans