Introduction:
Modernist poetry is one of the most important literary movements of the early twentieth century. It was created at the beginning of what is known as the ‘modern age’, a time when technology and science were rapidly growing and when a sense of chaos, upheaval and uncertainty was pervasive in society. It is a poetry style characterized by its fragmented form and often experimental technique. But what led to its ‘apex’, or peak? In this article we will examine which historical realities led to the emergence of modernist poetry as it is known today.
Industrialization:
One of the most significant historical realities that defined the modernist period was the industrialization of Europe and North America. This powerful economic and social force ushered in a period of rapid technological advancement, as well as a forced acknowledgement of how deeply our lives were affected by the jarring juxtaposition of old and new. The machine-driven world provided a source of inspiration for many of the poets of the time, and as Dr. Sarah Turpin of Oxford University explains, “The emergence of new technologies and the production of mass-produced goods meant that society was changing in ways that had never been experienced before. This gave rise to both anxiety and curiosity, and poets responded to this by questioning the purpose of production and the implications of such a mechanized world on our sense of identity and purpose in life”. It is in this context that modernist poetry emerged.
Urbanization:
Along with industrialization, the process of urbanization was an important historical reality that shaped the modernist period. This was a period of immense population growth in cities, bringing about a sense of displacement for people who had once lived in more rural areas. This uprooting created feelings of disorientation, a sense of having lost the bonds with one’s homeland, and an acute sense of alienation that expressed itself in much of the modernist poetry of the time. As Professor Emeritus of English from Yale University, Eugene Lange, explains, “The anonymous crowds in the streets of the cities, coupled with the lonely alienation of the individual, provided a perfect backdrop for the fragmented and sometimes experimental style of modernism.”
Technology:
The advent of new technologies also played a major role in the rise of modernist poetry. This was a time when machines, radios, and automobiles were becoming important parts of everyday life. As these technologies developed and grew in their complexity, they created an environment of feeling overwhelmed and at the mercy of the machine. This drove many poets to try to make sense of their rapidly changing world through the use of poetry. As Dr. Justin Hallenbeck of the University of Washington posits, “The increasing complexity of technologies in the twentieth century can be seen in modernism as a way of ‘contending’ with our new world… Poets were trying to express their feelings of alienation and fragmentation, as well as comment on the influence of technology on their lives.”
Cultural Changes:
The modernist period was also a time of significant cultural changes within Europe and North America. The rise of feminism, the rise of radical political ideologies, and the birth of new art forms like jazz and cinema all contributed to a sense of unease and disorientation. In response to this, modernist poets created what is known as ‘imagist’ poetry – poetry that sought to capture the chaos, uncertainty and fragmented experiences of the time. As noted by Professor of Poetry Studies, Cara Donahue, “Imagist poetry was deliberately fragmented and experimental, reflecting the sense of fragmentation and alienation that was pervasive in modern culture at the time. This type of poetry went on to become one of the defining features of modernist literature”.
World War One:
Perhaps the most important historical event of the modernist period was World War One, or the ‘Great War’, as it was known. This was a period of immense destruction and death on an unimaginable scale, and its aftermath saw the emergence of new art forms that captured the sense of disbelief, displacement, and alienation of the time. As Dr. Natalia Smith of Harvard University discusses, “The carnage of World War One was both incomprehensible and unimaginable, and this had drastic effect on the literature of the time. In response to this, what we now know as modernist poetry emerged, with its fragmented and experimental style reflecting the sense of despair and devastation of the war.”
Socio-Political Transformation
The modern period was also a time of great political and social transformation. The period saw the emergence of new schools of thought such as Communism, Fascism, and Anarchism, as well as a rising tide of working class consciousness. This created an environment of uncertainty and upheaval which was reflected in the poetry of the time. As Dr. Elizabeth Knapp of Stanford University explains, “The socio-political transformation of this time period caused a sense of alienation and disorientation, which is evident in the modernist poetry. Poets responded to this with their own interpretation of the political and social turmoil, reflecting the fragmented nature of the period.”
Interwar Period
The Interwar period of the 1920s and 1930s was another important historical reality that shaped modernist poetry. This period saw a massive economic depression, as well as a rising tide of nationalism, fascism, and militarism. This was a period of tremendous upheaval and despair, which created a sense of fragmentation and alienation. This is reflected in the experimental and fragmented style of the modernist poets of the period. As Dr. Jane Park of the University of Michigan states, “This was a period of great unrest and despair, and it is no surprise that this is reflected in the modernist poetry of the time. With its fragmented and often abstract style, modernist poetry captured the sense of alienation and confusion of the era.”
Postmodernism
The phenomenon of Postmodernism was another important factor that contributed to the emergence of modernism. This was a period of reaction against the abstract and often extreme forms of modernism. The postmodern movement embraced an “anything goes” approach to art, with a focus on reinvention, experimentation and the mixing of various artistic styles. This offered an interesting contrast to the rigid structures of modernism and led to an emergence of new poetry styles, combining modernism and postmodernism. As Dr. Robert Holland of the University of Chicago explains, “The emergence of postmodernism brought with it a focus on experimentation and a rejection of any kind of traditional aesthetic. This influenced modernist poetry, as poets sought to push the boundaries of what a poem could be and to explore the depths of their own creativity.”
Conclusion
Modernist poetry, then, was largely the result of the historical realities and cultural changes of the early twentieth century. The period saw the emergence of industrialization, urbanization, technological advancement, and socio-political upheaval. War, poverty and displacement all contributed to a sense of fragmentation and alienation which informed the modernist poets of the time. The emergence of postmodernism was also an important factor, as it allowed for a more experimental approach to the forms of modernism. Together, these various factors provided the conditions and context for the emergence of modernist poetry.
