Chapter v 20th Century Literature 2021/2/21
2021/2/21 1 Chapter Ⅴ 20th Century Literature
1. Historical background: The growth of mass-circulation periodicals created a rich market place for popular writers o Wi stands as a great dividing line between the 19th century and contemporary America o a sense of the failure of political leaders and a belief in the futility of hope dominated 2021/2/21
2021/2/21 2 1. Historical background: ⚫ The growth of mass-circulation periodicals created a rich market place for popular writers. ⚫ WWI stands as a great dividing line between the 19th century and contemporary America. ⚫ A sense of the failure of political leaders and a belief in the futility of hope dominated
2. An Outline of 20th Century American Literature oThe lost generation "writers were devoid of faith and alienated from a civilization After the WWl, a group of new American dramatists emerged o During 1920s and 1930s, appeared Harlem Renaissance, a burst of literary achievement by Negro artists ● After wwⅡ, a new generation of American authors wrote in the skeptical, ironic tone o In the 1960s and 70s, they turned increasingly to experimental techniques 2021/2/21
2021/2/21 3 2. An Outline of 20th Century American Literature ⚫ “The Lost Generation” writers were devoid of faith and alienated from a civilization. After the WWI, a group of new American dramatists emerged. ⚫ During 1920s and 1930s, appeared “Harlem Renaissance”, a burst of literary achievement by Negro artists. ⚫ After WWⅡ, a new generation of American authors wrote in the skeptical, ironic tone. ⚫ In the 1960s and 70s, they turned increasingly to experimental techniques
3. Imagism The term imagism was invented by an American poet, Ezra pound who was living in london and closely associated with a small group of friends who were the first imagists As a literary movement, imagism lasted only a few years, but it was widely discussed, ridiculed, and parodied, and it had an important role in the development of open form poetry The imagists were trying to create poetry that was, as it was expressed by another of their founders T.E. Hulme a moment of discovery or awareness, created by effective metaphor which provides the sharp intuitive insight that is the essence of life 2021/2/21 4
2021/2/21 4 3. Imagism: ⚫ The term imagism was invented by an American poet, Ezra Pound, who was living in London and closely associated with a small group of friends who were the first imagists. ⚫ As a literary movement, imagism lasted only a few years, but it was widely discussed, ridiculed, and parodied, and it had an important role in the development of open form poetry. ⚫ The imagists were trying to create poetry that was, as it was expressed by another of their founders, T.E. Hulme, “a moment of discovery or awareness, created by effective metaphor which provides the sharp, intuitive insight that is the essence of life
4. American poets in 20th century o Ezra pound o Robert frost ● Carl Sandburg TS Eliot 2021/2/21 5
2021/2/21 5 4. American poets in 20th century: ⚫ Ezra Pound ⚫ Robert Frost ⚫ Carl Sandburg ⚫ T. S. Eliot