The American Modernism Movement

It was time that demanded immediate change, one that initiated widespread activism in literary embodiments. These protests transpired in the midst of World War II, and continued through many national tragedies, creating an artistic movement known as American Modernism. The modernistic style which proved to be a unending campaign, was the most influential creative crusade from a social, economic, and political standpoint. Indeed there have been claims that the movement discluded the African-American society, was built from privilege, and was ultimately ineffective, however this is an unjustified assumption. For this period shaped the most controversial fictional writer, George Orwell, as he blended political issues with imaginative storylines,in

The conventional approaches in the era consisted of war propaganda, and other pieces which would be pleasing to the government, however with the rise of Modernism this soon changed.Through this period of time unique literature, art, and music arose with an anti-traditional style. Those who took part in this movement portrayed radical ideas in various forms, as their “ modernity consists in a revolt against this prevalent style, an unyielding rage against the official order” (Barbour, 28). Moreover, the techniques of this time included not only a stray from tradition, but the abandonment of excessive diction, and pompous tones. In relation to these characteristics, the literary and artistic revolution was inspired by wartime politics that were centered around World War I and World War II, as legislative condemned anti-patriotic citizens, defied the constitution, and unwillingly conscripted young men into battle. Comparatively, globally there was a trend of capitalism, imperialism, and totalitarianism, which took form in Nazi-Germany, Russia, and even in the United States. With these destructive forms of power, Modernism “sought to overturn the prevailing literary styles and cultural beliefs” (Barbour, 31). In light of these aspirations it is indisputable that Modernism was a beneficial movement to all members of

The eras circumstances “fostered a period of experimentation in the arts” which led to concrete depictions of war, nature, and everyday life (Kuiper). For instance, Charles Demuth, an American painter, is most famously known for displaying a style of “precisionism,” which depicted sharp contrasts in architecture. This type of painting conveyed modernistic characteristics in the geometric shapes, and prominent emphasis. Similarly, Marsden Hartley, a painter as well, utilized thick brushstrokes and lively colors to highlight the main focus of his paintings. These artistic styles were unheard of before the outbreak of modernism, and ultimately altered the primary elements and principles of art, and induced further artistic exploration. Additionally, to negate the assertion of racism in Modernism, the dominant musical genre was jazz, which was influenced by the black slave culture. The jazz music was vibrant, expressive, and frank, as it exhibited real, horrific events, demonstrated the genuinity of Modernism, and was “an authentic response to a much-changed world”