The Literary Theory: A Talk on Modernism
By Dr. Madhu Grover
“Make It New.”
-Ezra Pound
On the 30th of September, Dr. Madhu Grover delivered yet another engaging lecture on Modernism: Art and Literature as part of Jabberwock’s Literary Theory Series.
Modernism is an umbrella term covering several related and overlapping artistic and literary movements such as Cubism, Surrealism, Imagism, Symbolism, Futurism, Vorticism, Dada and Expressionism. At the very onset of the lecture, Dr. Grover guarded against unquestioned trust in the claims that Modernism itself makes of its own radicality and political correctness in view of elitism and cultural appropriation.
The uninitiated may harbour misconceptions regarding the relationship between the terms ‘modernism’ and ‘modernity.’ Dr. Grover explained the paradoxical relation of the entry of tools of modernity and the emergence of Modernism. The events of the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century put into motion the fragmentation of the ‘established’ order and brought about drastic changes in worldviews. New innovations in communication and transportation brought forth new realities which the artists desired to represent in new modes, thereby breaking out of the constraints of traditional artistic modes. However, technological advancements in the field of military also translated into the horrors of World Wars which shook the fabric of civilization. As such, Dadaism was a subversive movement that emerged as a revolt against the brutality of the First World War which nearly confirmed the degradation of social systems, corruption of national politics and unquestioning conformity to culture and thought. Additionally, in this time of political, social and cultural turmoil, artists and writers everywhere began to ponder on existentialism and the purpose of life.
The reflection of these anxieties is traceable in literary texts through Ralph Waldo Emerson as he writes, “Things are in the saddle. And ride mankind” and W.B. Yeats stating, “The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world.” Both reflect a spiritual crisis where the significance and distinguishability of the self and the universe is no longer apparent. At the same time, all hope is not lost. Modernist movements seek to discover meaning and, if not solutions, then collective comfort in the face of social issues.
James Joyce and Virginia Woolf stand out as the most prominent literary figures of the Modernist era. Picasso’s Guernica (part of the movements of Surrealism and Cubism) captures this duality of Modernism. While there is disillusionment and despair in the depiction of barbarity of the Spanish Civil War, Dr. Grover reads hope in the flower growing out of the soldier’s palm.
Dr. Grover concluded the lecture with a presentation on Modernist artwork such as that of Pablo Picasso, Renoir, Vincent van Gogh, Édouard Manet, Alfredo Volpi and others. The members of the audience were then invited to engage and have their questions addressed by the speaker.
-Ezra Pound
On the 30th of September, Dr. Madhu Grover delivered yet another engaging lecture on Modernism: Art and Literature as part of Jabberwock’s Literary Theory Series.
Modernism is an umbrella term covering several related and overlapping artistic and literary movements such as Cubism, Surrealism, Imagism, Symbolism, Futurism, Vorticism, Dada and Expressionism. At the very onset of the lecture, Dr. Grover guarded against unquestioned trust in the claims that Modernism itself makes of its own radicality and political correctness in view of elitism and cultural appropriation.
The uninitiated may harbour misconceptions regarding the relationship between the terms ‘modernism’ and ‘modernity.’ Dr. Grover explained the paradoxical relation of the entry of tools of modernity and the emergence of Modernism. The events of the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century put into motion the fragmentation of the ‘established’ order and brought about drastic changes in worldviews. New innovations in communication and transportation brought forth new realities which the artists desired to represent in new modes, thereby breaking out of the constraints of traditional artistic modes. However, technological advancements in the field of military also translated into the horrors of World Wars which shook the fabric of civilization. As such, Dadaism was a subversive movement that emerged as a revolt against the brutality of the First World War which nearly confirmed the degradation of social systems, corruption of national politics and unquestioning conformity to culture and thought. Additionally, in this time of political, social and cultural turmoil, artists and writers everywhere began to ponder on existentialism and the purpose of life.
The reflection of these anxieties is traceable in literary texts through Ralph Waldo Emerson as he writes, “Things are in the saddle. And ride mankind” and W.B. Yeats stating, “The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world.” Both reflect a spiritual crisis where the significance and distinguishability of the self and the universe is no longer apparent. At the same time, all hope is not lost. Modernist movements seek to discover meaning and, if not solutions, then collective comfort in the face of social issues.
James Joyce and Virginia Woolf stand out as the most prominent literary figures of the Modernist era. Picasso’s Guernica (part of the movements of Surrealism and Cubism) captures this duality of Modernism. While there is disillusionment and despair in the depiction of barbarity of the Spanish Civil War, Dr. Grover reads hope in the flower growing out of the soldier’s palm.
Dr. Grover concluded the lecture with a presentation on Modernist artwork such as that of Pablo Picasso, Renoir, Vincent van Gogh, Édouard Manet, Alfredo Volpi and others. The members of the audience were then invited to engage and have their questions addressed by the speaker.
Written by Nooria Fatima