Modernism vs. Postmodernism: Key Differences

Posted on Aug 1, 2024 in Arts and Humanities

Origins

Modernism

Literary historians agree that Modernism emerged after World War I, coinciding with a widespread spiritual malaise.

Postmodernism

Postmodernism developed as a movement after World War II, coinciding with the loss of faith in grand narratives and the rise of globalization and popular culture.

Concept of Art

Modernism

  1. Antidote to spiritual malaise
  2. High cultural activity reserved for the elite, but capable of”civilizin” the masses
  3. Rejection or creative absorption of the past
  4. Emphasis on technique
  5. Work of art complete in itself

Postmodernism

  1. Another form of cultural practice with no special characteristics
  2. Ironic or parodic stance towards the past
  3. Intertextuality and”undecidabilit” as main features

Concept of the Artist

Modernism

  1. Superior and detached from the rest of humanity
  2. Emphasis on impersonality and masks

Postmodernism

  1. Implicated in the text, often as another”characte”
  2. A”bricoleu” who borrows material from other sources

Subject Matter

Modernism

  1. Isolation of the individual in modern society
  2. The”dark place” of psychology
  3. Myth

Postmodernism

  1. Any subject matter is valid, with special attention to
  2. The act of writing itself

Character (Narrative & Drama)

Modernism

  1. Self-questioning, tortured individuals, often bordering on madness
  2. Difficulties in establishing meaningful relationships
  3. Often slaves to convention

Postmodernism

  1. Non-self-analytical, mere”actor” or role players
  2. Contradictory and fragmented
  3. Identity often confused

Point of View (Narrative)

Modernism

  1. No stable viewpoint, but
  2. Tendency to privilege certain characters’ perspectives
  3. Narrator does not judge characters
  4. Defamiliarization, leading to revelation “epiphan”)

Postmodernism

  1. Parodies conventional viewpoints
  2. Author often”intervene” as another character

Language & Speech

Modernism

  1. Serious and often poetic, but includes colloquialism
  2. Cites from other authors, but not parodically
  3. Uses”free indirect styl” and stream of consciousness
  4. Communicates indirectly (poetry)

Postmodernism

  1. Mixes genres of discourse (high and low)
  2. Cites other authors/texts, often for parodic purposes
  3. Challenges the idea of communication