Difference Between Modernism And Postmodernism

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Analysis
Mary Klages states difference between modernism and postmodernism. The root of modernism would be modernity; while, postmodernism succeeds modernism. This would be a simple statement to describe the difference between modernity, modernism, and postmodernism. Klages states, “Perhaps the easiest way to start thinking about postmodernism is by thinking about modernism, the movement from which postmodernism seems to grow or emerge” (Klages, p.1). In simple words, postmodernism can only be understood once the definition and roots of modernism is understood. Mary Klages says, “Modern societies depend on the idea that signifiers always point to signifieds, and that reality resides in signifieds.(…) Rather, for postmodern societies, there …show more content…

While modernism concentrated on the changes and the improvising of different cultural and social aspects, postmodernism was more about celebrating or practicing the changes from modernism era. Postmodernism was clear, the words meant what they are and did not have any hidden meaning that was “signified”. “let 's not pretend that art can make meaning . . . let 's just play with nonsense” (Klages). Glengarry Glen Rose is a postmodernist play. Written in the post world war era after the great depression it shows how much the quest of American dream is still there but society has changes- more materialistic and less emotional. Mamet’s play shows the average American’s dreams and how there is a huge difference between winners and losers. The play shows how the salesman with the most sales gets a Cadillac car while second winner gets a steak knife. That’s as different as day and night. Its not just that winner gets a Cadillac, the salesman with least sales will get fired. It shows how much different the society has become. In this play, the salesman are allowed to lie, bribe, cheat, steal just for a car which earns them no sympathy from the readers. It also shows that business gain by hook or crook is the main goal for the salesman. In Act I of play, at a Chinese restaurant, Levene bribes his manager for, “twenty percent… and fifty bucks a lead” (Glengarry Glen Ross), Moss is “talking” to Aaranow about robbery but he never suggests it openly to him. This play presents that need for money or in this case Cadillac car takes over human values such as respect and self-consciousness. Glengarry Glen Ross is an example of post modern play because it doesn’t conclude with a definite ending. It portrays an abstract truth. There is no deeper emotional connection between the characters or of characters and readers. At the end of the play, Roma says to Levene, “ I swear...it 's not a world of men...it 's not a world of

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