Sarah+N

1. Modernism is a word that means "of the modern time." This means breaking away from tradition and trying new things. These new things can be new thoughts, new creations, new actions, etc. These changes are important because they can help a society grow and develop. They also change those things that are not beneficial to society.

- Sarah Nadal

2. “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” is a modernist poem due to the author’s feelings of isolation from society. This is made evident when he is describing his attempts to fit in with those who surround him. He says, “They will say: “How his hair is growing thin!” He says, “they will say”, and the word “will” meaning they, or society, have not actually said anything about his thinning hair. He points out his own flaws and expects them to be obvious to the rest of the world. This further adds to his separation from society because he expects to be treated differently because he is flawed. He feels like he has no place in society and is not even able to say anything he wants to for fear of being rejected. This is also shown when he continuously asks himself, “How should I presume?” He is asking how he could possibly speak up and say what he wants to, and needs constant encouragement from himself because he feels so uncomfortable and isolated in society.

- Sarah Nadal

3. Existentialism is a selfish philosophy due to the focus on the self instead of society. According to Anita Brookner, a 20th century novelist, "Existentialism is about being a saint without God, being your own hero, without all the sanction and support of religion or society." She says one should be their own hero, which means one should rely only on himself and not on other people. Existentialists are solely concerned with themselves and have no concern for the rest of society. Brookner illustrates this when she describes existentialists as being their own hero "without all the sanction and support of religion or society." By ignoring the "sanction of religion and society", she is saying existentialists disregard the rules and laws and standards set by society and do not care that they are different and are not following these rules. Even though in some societies, religion is a big deal and religious leaders are very powerful, they ignore this and do what they want. Their only concern is themselves.

-Sarah Nadal   