Here's a breakdown:
What Modernism Opposed:
* Romanticism: Modernists rejected the focus on emotion, the sublime, and idealized nature. They sought a more objective, analytical approach to experience.
* Realism: While Realists aimed to depict everyday life accurately, Modernists felt this was too literal and limited. They explored the complexities of the human psyche, the fragmentation of modern life, and the subjective nature of reality.
How Modernism Redefined Literature:
* Experimentation: Modernists embraced new literary techniques like stream-of-consciousness, fragmented narratives, and non-linear storytelling.
* Focus on the Unconscious: They drew heavily on Freudian psychoanalysis and explored the hidden desires and motivations driving human behavior.
* Rejection of Traditional Forms: Modernists questioned the use of traditional poetic forms and narrative structures, aiming to find new ways to express the complexities of modern life.
* Emphasis on Modernity: They reflected the anxieties, alienation, and rapid social change of the early 20th century.
Important Note:
Modernism wasn't a monolithic movement. There were diverse voices and approaches within Modernist literature, and not every work challenged the same aspects of earlier styles.
Examples:
* James Joyce's *Ulysses*: This novel is a prime example of Modernist experimentation, using stream-of-consciousness and fragmented narrative to explore the inner life of its protagonist.
* T.S. Eliot's *The Waste Land*: This poem reflects the disillusionment and despair of post-World War I Europe through fragmented imagery and allusions to myth and history.
* Virginia Woolf's *Mrs. Dalloway*: This novel explores the interior lives of its characters and the passage of time through impressionistic language and shifting perspectives.
By understanding the ways Modernist literature both opposed and redefined earlier styles, you can gain a deeper appreciation for its unique contributions to literary history.