[New-Poetry] modernism/postmodernism

[David Bircumshaw]

>
> What suggestions would you all offer to one beginning a study 
> "modernism" and "postmodernism"?  Also what nuggets of insight might 
> you offer?  That is, what impressions or definitions do you operate 
> with about these terms?  And teachers, what do you teach about them?
>  
> Thanks in advance,
> lsg
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Modernism' could be re-defined as Post-Victorianism as it arose out of 
the break-up of the dominant cultural rhetorics of the 19th century 
international middle-classes. Certainly the use of the term 'modern' in 
its respect really just means 'not nineteenth century in outlook or 
practice'. The Rimbaud of 'Les Illuminations' can certainly be seen as a 
proto-modernist. Whereas Hopkins, say, or Emily Dickinson, or Whitman, 
although (in the first two cases) their writing wasn't in wider 
circulation until the Modernist period, are all essentially Victorian 
writers, but with styles that depart from the norms of their times.
A 'Post-Modernist' is a modernist with nothing to say. Like a tribute 
band. Or John Ashbery.

-- 

David Bircumshaw
Website and A Chide's Alphabet http://homepage.ntlworld.com/david.bircumshaw/
The Animal Subsides http://www.arrowheadpress.co.uk/books/animal.html
Leicester Poetry Society: http://www.poetryleicester.co.uk

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