Realism v. Modernism

Realism and Modernism were two adjacent literary periods, with Realism ending at the start of World War I, which was the beginning of Modernism (Werlock "modernism"). Rather than being a reaction against Realism, just like how Realism was a reaction against Romanticism, and Romanticism against Rationalism, etc., Modernism seems to sort of incorporate some ideas of Realism into its own, new style (Werlock "realism"). It builds on the idea, bringing new philosophies to the table to enhance it. However, the two are very distinctive from each other, which is exactly why they are different literary periods.

For example, in Modernism, writings tend to be rather cynical portrayals of the world that are more accurate than Romantic views would have been. However, they are still not completely accurate, as they do not tend to see the good in society, government, and religion. True Realism would view both good and bad aspects of the world, rather than focusing on the fear felt at the time by writers and society alike.

One way that Modernism and Realism are alike is in that they are both forms of rebellion. Realism was a rebellion against Romanticism, stating that the world could not be summed up into just those desirable things, events, places, people, and ideas (Werlock "realism"). Modernism was a rebellion against tradition and tried to break all of the rules that constricted people, such as "rules" for women's clothing and behavior, rules established by religion, and even rules established by the government that were viewed as oppressive and unnecessarily restrictive, such as Prohibition (Werlock "modernism"). Both ended up being rebellions against something, though we can all safely say that Modernism was a more radical rebellion than Realism.

With Modernism, however, began a tradition of making prose as aestically pleasing as possible (Werlock "modernism"). For many writers, this meant being as plain and simple as possible, getting straight to the point (Werlock "modernism"). This can come in conflict with Realism when important details are left out, making the "picture" the piece of literature is trying to portray blurry and not as definite as something completely Realistic, especially in regards to the Naturalist movement within Realism (Werlock "realism").

Also, another thing more unique to Modernism than to Realism was the returned use of figurative language (Werlock "modernism"). Realism, in its attempt to portray life completely as it actually was, did not involve itself in hidden symbols or meanings to its poetry and prose. It was all about giving an accurate portrayal of life that could be easily understood and learned from. However, Modernism was a bit more blurry in its ideas. Modernists used figurative language, such a similie, metaphor, allusion, and symbolism to give what looked like a simple story a whole different meaning, making it into a reflection on the world (Werlock "modernism"). Realism would have simply written an analytical paper.

In short, Realism and Modernism can be similar at times, but in all reality, they are two very different literary movements. Modernism blurs the lines of reality, tradition, and the world to make a point, while Realism strives to make those lines as hard and definite as they could be. While they may seem fairly similar to the untrained eye, the two are like the sun and moon.

[u]Works Cited[/u]

Werlock, Abby H. P. "modernism." The Facts On File Companion to the American Short Story, Second Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2009. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= CASS589&SingleRecord=True (accessed June 2, 2011).

Werlock, Abby H. P. "realism." The Facts On File Companion to the American Short Story, Second Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2009. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= Gamshrtsty0575&SingleRecord=True (accessed June 2, 2011).

Postmodernism Video Essay

[u]Works Cited[/u]

Salpeter, Greta, and Bob Morris. Like Vines. The Hush Sound. Fueled by Ramen, 2006. CD.

Urie, Brendon. Pretty. Odd. Panic! at the Disco. Decaydance/FueledByRamen, 2008. CD.

The Princess and the Frog

While it is indeed a Disney movie I am analyzing for its post-modernist qualities, it indeed has them, despite what many people may think. For those of you who don't know, The Princess and the Frog is a recent animated Disney film about the classic tale of the frog prince who is kissed by a princess to be returned to his human state. However, this frog prince ends up kissing a girl dressed as a princess, and this turns her into a frog as well, so they have to go on an adventure together to turn back into humans.

While it does appear to be an innocent kid's movie, it does have post-modernist qualities. For example, the movie blends fiction and nonfiction. It's historical fiction, taking place in the 1920s in New Orleans, with all the characters dressed as if in the 20s and everything looking very 20s. And while the movie is set in the 20s, it also involves fiction, as there is much magic involved, the most obvious example being that the two protagonists are turned into frogs.

The protagonists also exemplify traits of post-modernism. The heroine, Tiana, is a very hard worker, but working so hard for her dream of owning her own resteraunt blinds her to important things, such as love, and also keeps her imbalanced as she does not know how to have fun. Her counterpart, Prince Naveen, doesn't know the meaning of hard work and spends all of his time goofing off and having fun. While he is happy, he doesn't know how to do anything. Obviously, both of them are flawed in this way, in the true style of a post-modernist hero. And, like a post-modernist hero, both of them make the right choice at the right time, so their flaws don't matter.

It also plays off the post-modernist aspect of having multiple worlds. While there is the traditional and historically correct New Orleans, there is also the made-up country of Maldonia, of which Naveen is prince of. Also, there is the spirit world from which the two hoodoo masters draw their powers from. All of these worlds combine into the Princess and the Frog universe.

Modernism Project

Works Cited

Anderson, George Parker. "modernism." In Anderson, George P., Judith S. Baughman, Matthew J. Bruccoli, and Carl Rollyson, eds. Encyclopedia of American Literature, Revised Edition: Into the Modern: 1896–1945, Volume 3. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2008. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. (accessed May 4, 2011).

Bloom, Harold, ed. "Cummings, E. E." E. E. Cummings, Bloom's Major Poets. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishing, 2003. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. (accessed May 5, 2011).

Cummings, E. E. "Anyone Lived in a Pretty How Town." Poets.org. Web. 02 May 2011. .

Skyes, Dennis J. ""A Worn Path"" Rev. of "A Worn Path", by Eudora A. Welty. The Explicator 56.3 (1998): 151-53. Print.

Welty, Eudora. "A Worn Path." The Atlantic Monthly 167 (1941): 215-19. TheAtlantic.com. The Atlantic Monthly Group, 2001. Web. 2 May 2011. .

Werlock, Abby H. P. "modernism." The Facts On File Companion to the American Short Story, Second Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2009. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. (accessed May 4, 2011).

Werlock, Abby H. P., ed. "Welty, Eudora." The Facts On File Companion to the American Novel. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. (accessed May 5, 2011).

(http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/a_f/cummings/howtown.htm - How do I cite this?!)

Just Whistle While You Work!

My job shadowing experience was actually rather fun and dynamic. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the fact that I was on my feet all day, but that isn't generally typical for the occupation, and even if it were, I would get used to it.

I job shadowed the lovely folks at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library. I got to meet with the registrar, tour the newspaper microfilm rooms, see the basement archives, and go up to the conservation lab. My favorite parts were when I got to clean part of an old map of an Illinois town that never came into existence, go through the newspapers of a town nearby where I live, and see all the old books in the basement that are closed off to the public.

This experience has definitely made me think more seriously about careers involving history, preservation, and the library arts. It was a very exciting experience to get to see where people with those jobs work and what their day-to-day lives consist of. It has definitely helped me in choosing a career.