Alexandra+P


 * 1) Modernism is a modern character or quality of thought, expression, or technique. A more formal term would be that it is a movement in the arts that aims to break traditional or classical forms. Modernism is one’s take on a certain subject or matter, reforming it to fit their style. It also is a new way of thinking, one putting out their ideas in a way beyond custom standards. Such as if one were to be referring to the modern age of then and now. Most writers and authors, such as Norman Mailer, were disgusted with the world of the 1920’s, finding its behaviors disgusting. The same could be said for today’s day and age, some finding it even worse than what it previously used to be. In all, modernism is a way to express one’s thoughts, in a manner breaking the boundaries of what most are accustomed too. - Alexandra Pietrangeli

3. The poem, ‘The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,’ gives a direct tie in with the ideals behind Modernism and the modernist movement. One of the key points of the poem gives a direct link to the feeling of isolation, one of the major distinctions pertaining to modernist values and those considering themselves influential modernists. “ Let us go, through certain half-deserted streets, the muttering retreats” (Elliot). This quote is a direct excerpt from the poem, giving a sense that the main protagonist of the piece is alone, wandering half-deserted streets, trying to avoid the remaining crowd at all costs. There’s also the stanza when the protagonist questions his purpose, asking aloud, “Do I dare disturb the universe?” (Elliot). It seems as if he’s questioning his existence, asking why is he even living for today or tomorrow. As if trying to make it clear to the reader that he’s about ready to give up, on not only life but also himself. Overall, ‘The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock’ is not only a modernist poem due to it focuses on the main points of isolation, but due to it makes the reader expand their thoughts on what really is going on in the mind of a man who seems to have thrown aside all ambition. It influences people to do exactly what most modernists expected from the common public: to take their thinking to new and different levels. – Alexandra Pietrangeli

4.Existentialism is predominately the belief that existence precedes essence. In easier terms, to be an existentialist means to give meaning through action. “I think; therefore I exist” (Descartes). This statement shows that by use of action, in this case to think, a human being’s existence is defined. This belief defines the main ideals behind existentialism, stating that if an object cannot define itself through movement, than there is no significance behind it. This also plays a role into the “existence over essence” element of the ideal. Meaning that with essence, human beings could be placed within a larger whole or area standard for human growth. Existentialism disproves that thought, the main focus of the ideal that all human existence must be flourished by use of action. - Alexandra Pietrangeli