Early American Modernism

The modernist movement of the early twentieth century grew in response to the more conservative Realist movement.” Perhaps the distinguishing feature of modernism is its determination to dispense with the past, in Ezra Pound's phrase "to make it new"” (Werlock). The romantic style focused on the imagined, whereas the modernist style searched for reason and actuality. The vast implications of the social world, including the increased study of psychology and philosophy inspired writers to turn their backs on conventional narrative. The teachings of Darwin, Marx, Nietzsche, Einstein, and Freud were considered as a form of groundwork for modernist thinking.  The influx of rural migration to urban population created a social disjoint in the overcrowded cities. Morals of the past were clashing with the values of the new age.  Ideas and technology were changing, which helped spur the modernist movement. Modernism was global phenomenon, but its effects were diverse and wide spread (Fargoli, Golay, and Hamblin). Techniques such as “stream of consciousness” narrative and interior dialogue were used to express stories from the perspective of the individual. Faulkner himself was a highly skilled practitioner of the technique. “Juxtaposition, irony, comparisons, and satire are elements found in modernist writing” (Quinn). The modernist perspective had many misgivings on the traditions of religion and government. Often times, the writer would explicitly make an observation on a social concept that opposed the status quo. War and the opposition to many aspects of the government created social distrust in the ruling system.“The breaking down of social norms, rejection of standard social ideas and traditional thoughts and expectations, objection to religion and anger towards the effects of the world wars, and the rejection of the truth are topics widely seen in this literary era. A rejection of history, social systems, and a sense of loneliness are also common themes” (Werlock).

Works Cited

Fargnoli, Nicholas A., Michael Golay, and Robert W. Hamblin. "Modernism and the works of William Faulkner." Critical Companion to William Faulkner: A Literary Reference to His Life and Work, Critical Companion. 2008. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. Tarrant County College Lib., Fort Worth, TX. Web. 11/11/2011. <http://www.fofweb.com/>.

Quinn, Edward. "Modernism." A Dictionary of Literary and Thematic Terms, Second Edition. 2006. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc.  Tarrant County College Lib., Fort Worth, TX. Web.11/11/2011. <http://www.fofweb.com/>.

Werlock, Abby H. P. "Modernism." The Facts On File Companion to the American Short Story, 2^nd Edition.2009. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. Tarrant County College Lib., Fort Worth, TX. Web. 11/11/2011. <http://www.fofweb.com/>.

William Faulkner: A Brief Biography

William Faulkner is considered to be one of the most influential Southern writers in the Twentieth Century. Born in Mississippi, Faulkner used his native Southern roots as inspiration for many of his great works. In his childhood, Faulkner drew great influence from his artistic and intelligent female relatives. He was raised in affluence, yet he was fascinated with the trials and triumphs of the poor, working class of Mississippi (Gordon). He began his literary journey in adolescence with the writing of poems. His works also include short stories, novels, and screenplays. As a young adult Faulkner attended Ole Miss, but only stayed enrolled in the university for three semesters before heading to New York. He worked odd jobs to support himself as he perused his literary passion.  As a young man in the Deep South, Faulkner was very perplexed by the complexity of the “black versus white” ideas of society and used his first hand knowledge as content in his works (Contemporary Authors Online). Though Faulkner spent much of time in isolated in his home town, he did spend time overseas, which in turn introduced him to the stylings of early modernist literature.  Through the modernist technique Faulkner experimented with “stream of consciousness” narrative and the use of dialect. He would often give the archetypal southern boy with a drawl in his voice and the look of a poor farm hand the ability for deep and perceptual thought (Gordon). In a single narrative it was not uncommon for Faulkner to use several characters’ perspectives to tell the story as a whole. One of the most frequent themes throughout his works was the conflicting moral depravity of the slave supporting South. Often Faulkner would reflect on the South’s deep seated racial tensions by portraying slave owners in the negative light they deserved (Contemporary Authors Online). In 1950 Faulkner was awarded the Nobel Peace Price in Literature for “"for his powerful and independent artistic contribution in America's new literature of the novel" (Fargnoli, Golay, and Hamblin).  Faulkner spent a majority of his life living in his beloved home state Mississippi. Many of his narratives take place in the fictional Yoknapatawpha County which is based off the county in which he was raised (Fargnoli, Golay, and Hamblin). Faulkner died at the age of sixty-five and was laid to rest in Oxford, Mississippi surrounded by the natural world he so adored (Gordon).

Map of Lafayette County, the inspiration for Faulkner's fictional Yokapatawpha County.

Yoknapatawpha County

Works Cited

Contemporary Authors Online. “William Faulkner.” 02/25/2004. Gale   Contemporary Authors Online. Tarrant County College Lib., Fort Worth, TX. Web. 11/01/2011. <http://ezp.tccd.edu >.

Fargnoli, Nicholas A., Michael Golay, and Robert W. Hamblin. "Faulkner, William." Critical Companion to William Faulkner: A Literary Reference to His Life and Work, Critical Companion. 2008. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. Tarrant County College Lib., Fort Worth, TX.Web . 11/01/2011. < http: //www.fofweb.com>.

Gordon, Debra. “Faulkner, William.” Bloom, Harold, ed. William Faulkner, Bloom's BioCritiques. 2002. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. Tarrant County College Lib., Fort Worth, TX.Web. 11/01/2011. <http://www.fofweb.com>.