American Modernism was the beginning of the start of the 20th century. It was the time between World War I and World War II. This period in time was when writers started to reflect on the lives of the working class. Modernism was an artistic movement that represented the struggle that many had which challenged their past lives when normal things weren’t as important anymore. Modernism was encouraged by domestic shifts such as increase in city life, technology, and wealth. Other things contributed to the Modern era too, such as war, death, and materialistic things. There are many novels, short stories, and poems that also contribute to American Modernism. Novels from the American Modernism era typically focused on the people and they were fiction. Some novels were, “A Rose for Emily,” ”Light in August,” and “Sanctuary,” all by William Faulkner. Poetry from American Modernism focused on many things but some examples are imagination, the future, and the past. “The Waste Land,” by T.S. Elliot, “The Snow Man,” by Wallace Stevens. Short stories also played a part in American Modernism. They typically focused on one even, they have one plot, one setting. They are normally short and brief. They don’t have many characters, and they cover a short period of time. An example of a short story from American Modernism is, “The Aspern Papers,” by Henry James. In conclusion, American Modernism was a time where novelist and authors were starting to reflect on the lives struggles of the working class. Also, focusing on things that challenged people’s past lives.
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American Literature 