Modernism

1
Modernism

• Themes found in lit after 1914
• Breakdown of family
• Breakdown of community
• Breakdown of civilization
• All these lead to profound
• alienation
• fragmentation
• introspection
• Imagism is central tenet of the poetry of this
  period

2
Images

• Image a word or group of words that appeals to
  one or more of the readers senses.
• Something you can see
• Something you can hear
• Something you can smell
• Something you can taste
• Something you can touch
• In other words, something that appeals to one or
  more of your senses

3
Figurative Language

• Simile Comparison of two apparently unlike
  things, using as or like.
• Ex. O, my luves like a red, red rose (Burns,
  1796)
• Metaphor Comparison of two apparently unlike
  things, not using as or like.
• Ex. My house is a disaster area.
• An extended metaphor functions throughout a poem.
  Ex the wall in Frosts Mending Wall.
• Figurative language offers imaginative leap to
  image or idea.

4
Recall the elements of fiction how many of these
carry over to drama?

• Plot artful sequence of events
• Character essential feature
• Setting
• Where the story takes place
• When the story takes place Time of day, season,
  historical period, etc.

5

• Point of view
• Usually objective--not inside anyones head
• Style light, serious, simple, complex
• Theme sort of like the meaning of the story
• CONFLICT without this, theres nothing to drive
  the play.

6
How drama differs from fiction

• Absence of narrator/mediator (usually) we have
  to construct meaning directly.
• Stagecraft lighting other elements to create
  setting/mood on stage.
• Collaborative effort director actors must
  interpret the playwrights words.
• Every production of a play is different.
• Theatre is a group experience actors affected by
  audience response audience members affect each
  other.

7
Directive and Key Words

• A good writing prompt should contain directive
  and key words to let you know what to write about
  and how to write about it.
• Directive Words describe, explain, identify,
  discuss, explore, analyze, compare, argue,
  support, etc.
• Key words words related to your topic that you
  should focus on as you plan your response.