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Lecture 12 - Unit 12.2-Modernist Poetry

Modernist poetry, spanning from 1900 to 1950, is characterized by stylistic experimentation, disrupted syntax, and themes of isolation, often expressed through imagism and a lack of regular rhyme schemes. Notable poet E.E. Cummings exemplifies these traits with his unique syntax, use of lower case letters, and exploration of themes such as nature and individualism. The movement also incorporates intertextuality, unconventional metaphors, and a focus on visual imagery.

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39 views8 pages

Lecture 12 - Unit 12.2-Modernist Poetry

Modernist poetry, spanning from 1900 to 1950, is characterized by stylistic experimentation, disrupted syntax, and themes of isolation, often expressed through imagism and a lack of regular rhyme schemes. Notable poet E.E. Cummings exemplifies these traits with his unique syntax, use of lower case letters, and exploration of themes such as nature and individualism. The movement also incorporates intertextuality, unconventional metaphors, and a focus on visual imagery.

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Jack Jan
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Modernist Poetry

1900-1950
Unit 12.2
Characteristics of Modern Poetry

● Stylistic experimentation and disrupted syntax

● Stream of Consciousness (a term coined by American


psychologist William James to describe the natural flow of a
person’s thoughts)

● Theme of isolation: characters or speakers feel disconnected


from people and/or society/the world. Themes were suggested
but not directly expressed.

● Focus on imagism (concrete images and language of everyday


speech)
Characteristics of Modern Poetry

● No regular rhyming scheme


● Visual images in distinct lines
● Intertextuality
● Unconventional use of metaphor
● Discontinuous narrative
● Classical allusions
● Borrowing from culture and other languages
E.E. Cummings
● He wrote many sonnets with complex rhyme scheme.
● Themes: nature, love, the individual’s relationship to masses
and to the world; often satirical and romantic in sentiment
and tradition.
● Cummings' work generally shows an individual peculiarity of
syntax, punctuation and the way of arranging individual
words into larger phrases and sentences.
● His use of lower case letters is typical of his style.
Syntax
● Syntax is “ structure of sentences and language”.
● E.E. Cummings experimented profoundly with syntax.
Example:
“anyone lived in a pretty how town (with up so floating many
bells down) spring summer autumn winter he sang his didn't
he danced his did”.
“anyone lived in a pretty how town”
References
48 Best Iqbal Poetry images: Iqbal poetry, Poetry, Allama iqbal.
(2019, April 12). Retrieved April 16, 2020, from
https://www.pinterest.com/tehreemawan17/iqbal-poetry/

Brief guide to modernism. (n.d.). Retrieved April 12, 2020, from


http://www.poets.org/poetsorg/text/brief-guidemodernism

Habeeb, M. (2013, September 12). Modernism and modern


poetry.RetrievedApril13,2020,from
https://www.slideshare.net/madihahabeeb5/modernism-and-m
odern-poetry
References
Imagist movement poets. (n.d.). Retrieved April 14, 2020, from
http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/the-imagistmove
mentpoems-examples-key-poets.html#lesson

Modernism. (n.d.). Retrieved April 14, 2020, from


http://www.online-literature.com/periods/modernism.php

Modernist Poetry. (n.d.). Retrieved April 14, 2020, from


https://www.bisd303.org/cms/lib3/WA01001636/Centricity/D
omain/1342/Modernist Poetry.pdf

Qureshi, O. (n.d.). Handbook Of Twentieth Century Literatures


Of India ... Retrieved April 14, 2020, from
https://lunnon.sushitei.ca/3650c2/handbook-of-twentieth-cent
ury-literatures-of-india-literature-65.pdf
References
Rush, P. (2010, November 1). EE Cummings Presentation.
RetrievedApril16,2020,from
https://prezi.com/khnmqfbzdo4g/ee-cummings-presentation/

Write a Detailed Note on Modern Poetry or Characteristics of


ModernPoetry. (n.d.).RetrievedApril14,2020,from
https://www.scribd.com/document/386472790/Write-a-Detaile
d-Note-on-Modern-Poetry-or-Characteristics-of-Modern-Poetr
y

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