Characteristics of Modern Literature

 

The word Modern has two fold significance. Modern and Modernism are two distinct terms, and consist of different meanings in different contexts. Being a Modern is a kind of taboo which we forcefully glued on people. When S/he doesn't bother the traditional and conventional ways of living then we categories them in the column of so called "Modern" But Modernism is an era of age which began in the beginning of 20th century or in 1910 to 1945.  Today, when we refer to a person as a Modern, it is a kind of derogatory manner. But when we are speaking about Modernism, which indicates the The Modern period 0r movement, which totally changed the whole tradition of literature. As Thomas F. Staley rightly remarked ...….

"As a movement, Modernism pushed the boundaries of what was artistically possible."

Now, The question is what makes Modernism modern, meaning what are the driving forces behind the rise of Modernism and effects of that. What makes Modern Literature fragmented and full of undescribed images. What makes Modern writers to Experiment with old forms of literary tradition and What is the hidden reason behind the meaninglessness and vagueness of Modern Literature. Well, the only answer to all these questions is the 'Shaken Faith.'

So, These are the Five pillars of Faith in which people started losing their faith slowly and steadily. First Faith in God is shaken because of Darwin's theory of Evaluation. Next to God is King, Power of King can't be challenged. It is also believed that the King protects the country from any hurdles, but then comes Marxist theory, which shows the Hierarchy in society and also says that people with power for their own profit exploit others. So, Faith in King is also broken. Afterwards, Sigmund Freud's theory of Interpretation of Dreams suggests that what we know is only 10% and 90% things are in our subconscious and in our Unconscious mind. So, This also collapsed the faith in Individual self also. Democratic Nation and Democratic Government fails to protect their country and people during the First world war also shaken the faith on Democracy and at last the negative use of Science and Technology in World Wars decrease the Faith in Science also. So, this shaken faith in major five institutions made a very remarkable change in the life of people as well in the content of literature. So, This Socio-economic structure of the Modern era is reflected in literature by the theme of Fragmentation, Unstructured plot and also use of Vague Images. So, This is the basic understanding of Modernism, now move towards the major characteristics of Modern Literature….