Lecture on Modernism by Vit Pand

Introduction

• Topic: Modernism
• Query: Differences between Modern Age and other ages
• Problem: Educational background issues often lead to rote learning rather than understanding.
• Solution: Summarize all ages to provide a comprehensive understanding.

Anglo-Saxon Age

• Characteristics: Initial age, basic societal needs (food, hunting, faith in God).

Medieval Age

• Key Figures: Wycliffe and Chaucer
• Theme: Questioning religious authority.
• Consciousness: Lack of focus on individual rights.

Renaissance & Elizabethan Age (1558 - 1603)

• Concept: Emergence of a unifying figure (queen/king).
• Realization: Awareness of a global context; need to be better to avoid enslavement.

Puritan Age

• Main Focus: Religious questioning and challenges to authority.

Restoration Age

• Cultural Shift: Focus on social needs, fashion, entertainment (rich and abundant lifestyle).
• Reality: Less focus due to affluence.

Augustan Age

• Intellectualism: Emergence of intellectual class.
• Behavior: Shift from materialism to nature (pre-Romanticism/Romanticism).

Romantic Age

• Return to Nature: Realization of nature's importance over materialism.
• Global Context: Colonization, industrialization, and armament race leading to the Victorian age.

Victorian Age

• Societal Division: Rich become richer, poor become poorer.
• Literary Focus: Realistic portrayal of life and class divisions.
• Wars: Crimean wars, Gulf Wars impact society.

Rise of Modernism

• Change Trigger: Circumstances (social issues, technological advancements, wars).
• Notable Events:
  • 1905: Italy defeated by Ethiopia, Russia by Japan.
  • Archduke Ferdinand's assassination leading to World War I.
• Key Quote: Virginia Woolf on human character change in 1910.
• Modernist Thought: Realization of individual isolation and self-centeredness.
• Impact: Rise of self-centered culture, apartment living, identity crises.

Postmodernism

• Further Development: Questioning identity, morality, authority (e.g., parents, religion).
• Key Aspects: Identity crisis, stream of consciousness, psychoanalysis.
• Challenges for Indian Students: Dual psychological identity (Indian and Western literary influences).

Example of Cultural Clash in Literature Education

• Experience: Teaching feminism and defending divorce, extramarital affairs led to parental concern.
• Content Justification: Western literature's focus on individual happiness over traditional morality.
• Educational Challenges: Balancing Western content with traditional Indian values.

Conclusion

• Feedback Request: Importance of reviews for improvement and motivation.
• Encouragement: Honest feedback (both praise and criticism) for personal and educational growth.