American Literature modernism
The literary modernism in the united states had unique characteristics and concepts that the authors used. It lasted up to 1945. The landscape of life was greatly influenced due to the occurrence of rapid population outbursts, city life, global conflicts in the world, and the revolution in the production process such as industrialization (Van & Mark,n.p). This as well changed the realism of authors. The artistic modernism kicked in as they represented and expressed the struggles people undergo to adapt to the new life. They mostly revealed the need for people and society y to break free from the previous traditions that were irrelevant at that time. These modern lifestyles fueled on the literature to publish materials tackling fear, growth, prosperity, war, death, disillusionment, money psychology, and materialism. The purpose of this article is to carefully evaluate various art publications and establish whether they belong to the canon of modern American literature.
Firstly, Cather’s “Neighbor Rosicky” revolves around a man Anton Rosicky who has been diagnosed with a heart problem. The whole problem makes the man refocus on his family back in his farm. He recalls the good days while he was in New York and London. It was during his stay in New York that he met his wife, Polly. He outlines how the city was seen as the best breakthrough for many. The city was affordable since there would be jobs and earning a living quickly. It’s this money that he used to buy his farm. They shift to the farm area to avoid the negative influence of city life (Cather n.p). The writer indeed represents the modernism. His work is influenced by modern forces such as city life, materialism, and pursuance of excellent life in the cities. It was among the pioneers of modern American literature.
Secondly, the work by Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” (1887) and “Desert Places” (1891) cannot be classified under modern American literature. “The Road Not Taken” is poetical that seeks to present the duality of every life choices made. Though the poem much advocates taking the path that is less traveled, that is, the writer implies that there should be uniqueness and individuality while making a decision. Further, he outlines that always “what ifs” in life are still there. Desert place is a poem that brings out the loneliness and solitude of the persona.
Sandburg’s “Chicago” (1917) dramatically reflects on the modernity of American literature. When the author moved to Chicago, he penned down a descriptive poem highlighting it as “City of The Big Shoulders.” His work seems to appreciate the efforts of industrial development in the united states. The grass as well is a poem that is used to explain the melancholy experienced after the world war. He says the dead should be buried to give the grass time to grow and continue covering the earth (Sandburg n.p). The work is a full reflection of traits associated with the modern American literature work- the effects of war and industrialization.
Fitzgerald’s “Babylon Revisited” explains a man Charlie Wales who lost everything during the 1929 stock market crash. Previous, he had led a life of extravagance and alcoholism. This gives him a challenge on how he manages his family, consequently losing his wife. He travels to Paris, and for three years, he files for a legal suit to be granted custody of his nine years old daughter Honoria (Fitzgerald n.p). He late reforms and becomes a successful business person. The novel truly reflects the major themes of modern American Literature.
Review of the O’Neil’s Long Day’s Journey into Night (2005) doesn’t seem to reflect on the contemporary modernism in American literature. The work explains a family with loads of challenges. The mother’s addiction to morphine, the licentiousness of older brother, illness of the younger brother, and general obsession to whiskey resulted in a chaotic family (O’Neill n.p). The play is acted from morning to midnight by the seaside of their Connecticut home.
The work of Langston Hughes seems to revolve around the liberty of Africans who were taken into slavery by Americans. The first play, “The Negro Speaks of Rivers,” seems to push for equality in celebrating the liberty and success of the United States. He says that even the Black was involved in building America (Hughes and Lewis n.p). He outlines that he has seen much civilization, and also the black Americans had the right to take pride in its success.
His other literary work ‘I Too,” addresses the African American identity in the dominant white culture in the USA. The oppressions that the Black are exposed to are discussed. The work brings the issues of black rights, which sparks fierce liberation for civil rights. The cultural explosion occurred in New York due to his work that advocated for reasons for the Black. Further, his “Song for a Dark Girl” is a poem song that seeks to reveal the extent of racism and injustices in America through the use of the famous song “Dixie.” Through his work, he can be acknowledged to contribute to modern American literature (Hughes n.p). This is because his central theme is advocating for a cultural shift, from the traditional slavery of the black to equality in civil rights.
Work cited
Van Wienen, Mark W., ed. American Literature in Transition, 1910–1920. Cambridge University Press, 2017.
O’Neill, Eugene. Long Day’s Journey Into Night: Multimedia Edition. Yale University Press, 2016.
Dowling, Robert M. “Sandburg, Carl.” Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Literature. 2017.
Hughes, Langston, and Earl B Lewis. The Negro Speaks Of Rivers. Disney/Jump At The Sun Books, 2009.
Cather, Willa. Neighbor Rosicky. 9th ed., Houghton Mifflin, 1989, p. 1841.
Sandburg, Carl. “Grass by Carl Sandburg.” Enotes.com, Enotes.com, 2018, www.enotes.com/topics/grass
Fitzgerald, F. Scott Fitzgerald. “Babylon Revisited.” Enotes.Com,, 2018, https://www.enotes.com/topics/babylon-revisited. Accessed 8 Apr 2020.