Modernism, also known as modern or modernist,refers to the era in the late 19 century and spanning into the early 20th century. It refers to the modernist movement in the arts and the cultural movement spanning from the change to the Western Society. It is characterized by the intentional break in the traditional styles of poetry and verse. Modernists experimented with form and expression, following the modernist theme to “make it new”. The modernist movement was fueled by the desire to transform the traditional way of presenting and expressing the new awareness of their time.

Important modernist elements are: juxtaposition, irony, comparisons, and satire. Modernist authors use impressionism and other devices to emphasize the subjectivity of reality, and they view omniscient narration and fixed narration as giving a false sense of objectivity.

Important Modernism Terms

Juxtaposition- an act or instance of placing close together or side by side, especially for comparison or contrast.

Irony- the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning

Satire- the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, in exposing, denouncing, or deriding vice, folly, etc.

Impressionism- A literary style characterized by the use of details and mental associations to evoke subjective and sensory impressions rather than the re-creation of objective reality.