* The rise of a new, educated middle class: Modernism arose in the early 20th century, a time when literacy rates were increasing and a new, educated middle class was emerging. This audience was more likely to be interested in experimental and challenging literature, and they were more likely to have the background knowledge necessary to understand complex themes and symbolism.
* The fragmentation of society and the individual: Modernist writers often explored the fragmentation of society and the individual in their work, reflecting the anxieties of a rapidly changing world. They assumed that their readers were aware of and engaged with these anxieties, and were willing to engage with literature that reflected them.
* The influence of psychoanalysis: Modernist writers were influenced by the rise of psychoanalysis, which emphasized the importance of the unconscious mind. They assumed that their readers were interested in exploring the inner workings of the mind, and were willing to engage with literature that employed techniques such as stream of consciousness and internal monologue.
* The desire for intellectual engagement: Modernist writers valued intellectual engagement and experimentation. They assumed that their readers were interested in challenging their assumptions and exploring new ways of seeing the world.
It's important to note that these assumptions were not always accurate, and modernist literature could alienate readers who were not prepared for its experimental nature. However, the writers of this period were confident that their work would appeal to a significant audience of readers who were looking for something new and challenging.
Here are some examples of how these assumptions play out in modernist literature:
* T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land" is a notoriously complex and allusive poem that requires a significant amount of cultural and historical knowledge to fully understand. Eliot assumed that his readers would be familiar with the myths, literature, and history that he referenced in the poem.
* James Joyce's "Ulysses" is a novel that employs stream of consciousness and internal monologue to explore the thoughts and feelings of its protagonist, Leopold Bloom. Joyce assumed that his readers would be willing to engage with the complex and fragmented nature of the novel's narrative.
* Virginia Woolf's "Mrs. Dalloway" is a novel that focuses on the inner lives of its characters, exploring their thoughts, feelings, and memories. Woolf assumed that her readers would be interested in the subjective experience of consciousness.
These are just a few examples of how modernist writers made assumptions about their readers. The assumptions they made were often driven by the changing social and intellectual landscape of the time, and they helped to shape the distinctive style and content of modernist literature.