Anna+G

1.) Modernism is a way and idea for people to change the means of tradition and anything considered classic. It is a reform in thinking and expression. It can be described as cultural change or culture movement. Modernism is an idea of the extreme, because it makes people change the ways of culture drastically. It challenges traditional art, literature, religion, and social organization. Modernism is a new way of thinking that challenges the old traditions of what used to be. Because of this, it can be said that Modernism questions the ways of the previous age. It is there to change the ways that Modernism views as out-of-date and wrong by challenging them with extreme changes in human culture. - Anna Luisa Griffith

3.) Modernism ties into several aspects of this poem, a few being alienation and isolation. I can sense both of these feelings in the poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock". His loneliness and isolation are portrayed through his frustration with women, which comes up frequently in the poem. It is made obvious in the quote, "In the room the women come and go; Talking of Michelangelo" that he doesn't stick with one women, but goes through many. Afterwards, however, they leave him by himself, and he is left alone once more. This monotonous repeat of the process could have eventually turned him lonely. It can also tie in to the isolation aspect, because speaking of Michelangelo implies that the women are talking about better men when they leave him. He feels separated from that class of men, desperately trying to fit in with them by changing his appearance to disguise his true age, but noticing all the weird quirks and faults afterwards. Because of this, unable to change himself and unable to keep a woman, he has grown to feel both alienated from society and isolated from it as well. - Anna Griffith

4.) Existentialism is beyond essence and objects. The idea of it is about existing, but not without meaning. Existentialism states that one can exist through action, not by simply being there as a person or an object. "I think, therefore, I exist," (Descartes) is a perfect example of the meaning presented in the idea of Existentialism. What he points out in his quote is that his action, his verb, is thinking for himself. Through this action, his existence is valid. His thinking is proof enough for his existence. By thinking and being active in a sort of activity, he states that he is not merely an object without meaning. But instead, that his life and existence has meaning through action. - Anna Griffith