Modernist writers experimented with new literary techniques, such as stream of consciousness and fragmented narrative, to break away from traditional storytelling conventions. Traditional writers, on the other hand, tend to follow more established and structured forms of storytelling, focusing on coherent plots and character development. Modernist writers often challenged societal norms and explored themes of alienation and disillusionment, while traditional writers may prioritize moral lessons and genre conventions.
Mid-19th
The younger writers had to cope with the psychological aftermath of World War I, and their work was darker, more disillusioned.
Modernist writers often favored simple settings.
Modernist writers of fiction tended to prefer indirect characterization. Modernist writers also preferred unreliable narrators. Other literary devices used in modernist writing were stream-of-consciousness and interior monologue.
Mid-19th
Existentialism was one of the prominent philosophical influences on modernist writers, but not all modernist writers adhered to existentialism. Many modernist writers drew from a variety of philosophical and literary movements, such as surrealism, naturalism, and symbolism, to express their ideas and themes. Existentialism's focus on individual experience, freedom, and the search for meaning resonated with some modernist writers, but it was not the only philosophy impacting their work.
Virginia WoolfJames Joyce
Modernist writers experimented with non-linear narratives by using techniques such as stream of consciousness, fragmented storytelling, and shifting perspectives. They sought to challenge traditional plot structures and explore new ways of representing the complexities of human experience.
The modernist movement challenged American writers to experiment with new literary forms, question traditional beliefs and values, and explore the complexities of modern society. They sought to break away from conventional writing styles and explore new ways of representing reality and human experience.
Modernist writers sought to create unique and personal symbols within their works, moving away from established historical or literary references. This allowed them to explore individual experiences and perspectives, emphasizing subjectivity and fragmentation in their storytelling. By constructing new symbolic meanings, Modernist writers aimed to challenge traditional narrative conventions and evoke a sense of disorientation in the reader.
larger; more varied
By exaggerating the truth (apex)