Post Modernism
What is Post Modernism?
Postmodernism is largely a reaction to scientific or objective efforts to explain reality. Postmodernism is based on the position that reality is not what humans understand it to be, but is constructed as the mind tries to understand its own personal reality. It is skeptical of explanations that claim to be valid for all groups, cultures, traditions, or races, and instead focuses on the relative truths of each person. In understanding postmodernism, interpretation is everything. Reality is only through our own interpretations of what the world means to us. Postmodernism relies on concrete experience over abstract principles, arguing that the outcome of one's own experience will relative, rather than universal.
Famous Postmodern Authors
Infinite Jest- David Foster Wallace
Naked Lunch- William S. Burroughs
Gravity’s Rainbow- Thomas Pynchon
Catch-22 - Joseph Heller
American Psycho- Bret Easton Ellis
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas- Hunter S. Thompson
Labyrinths- Jorges Luis Borges
Breakfast of Champions- Kurt Vonnegut
Lord of the Flies - William Golding
Tropic of Cancer- Henry Miller
Farenheit 451- Ray Bradbury
To Kill A Mockingbird- Harper Lee
Naked Lunch- William S. Burroughs
Gravity’s Rainbow- Thomas Pynchon
Catch-22 - Joseph Heller
American Psycho- Bret Easton Ellis
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas- Hunter S. Thompson
Labyrinths- Jorges Luis Borges
Breakfast of Champions- Kurt Vonnegut
Lord of the Flies - William Golding
Tropic of Cancer- Henry Miller
Farenheit 451- Ray Bradbury
To Kill A Mockingbird- Harper Lee
Themes of Postmodernism
Irony, Playfulness, Black Humor, Post World War II, Irony, Paranoia, Playfulness, Meta fiction,Temporal Distortion, No Absolute Truth, Minimalism, Reaction To Enlightenment Ideas, Constructivism, Idealism, Pluralism, Relativism, and Skepticism
Techniques
Pastiche- A type of writing that combines writing from different genres to form a new narrative.
Temporal Distortion- Jumping forward or backward in time
Metafiction- Type of fiction that addresses the fictional illusion
Paranoia- Character questions what is going on around them
Satire- A literary composition, in verse, in which human blunder is held up to scorn or ridicule.
Eclecticism - Following your belief rather then the designated style
Poioumena- Finding a parallel between two different things
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Temporal Distortion- Jumping forward or backward in time
Metafiction- Type of fiction that addresses the fictional illusion
Paranoia- Character questions what is going on around them
Satire- A literary composition, in verse, in which human blunder is held up to scorn or ridicule.
Eclecticism - Following your belief rather then the designated style
Poioumena- Finding a parallel between two different things
.
Belief System of Post Modernism
Post Modernists believe that nothing can explain reality. They are also convinced that anything real does not exist.
Believes what may be true to one person may not be true to another.
Lacked Optimism of there being a scientific, philosophical, or religous truth.
Believes what may be true to one person may not be true to another.
Lacked Optimism of there being a scientific, philosophical, or religous truth.
Literary Focus
Focused on the character's surroundings, and how the problems they faced could not be conquered... so the character had to change and mold to them.
Religion
Post Modernist's do not follow a specific religion.
Time Period
Post Modernism Literature started in 1946 and still continues to be written right now. It is the era post World War II.