Nate+N

1.) Modernism is... the most confusing word i have ever had to look up. So far i have gathered that its a way of life, a way of thinking. Modernism relating to architecture states that Modernist are amazed with the emerging technologies of the day, they embrace concrete,glass, and steal. What i have gathered on modernism relating to writing is that it was created in the 1900's and is a blunt loveless way of writing, that focuses more on the negativity of life. For example, a quote i commented on earlier "We have eyes to wonder but lack tongues to praise." (William Shakespeare). This was a "blunt" and "loveless" quote that made his point short and sweet. Modernism in my opinion can relate to to how up to date you are. Modernist are up with the time, dont act or think like you were in the 1900's if your in the 20th century. For example william shakespeare was a modernist, he thought up to date, which at that time was looked down upon.

-Nathan Nash

2.)The poem "The love of Alfred J. Prufrock" is a modernist poem. I say this because “Alfred” thinks in a way such as a modernist. His views and ways of describing his surroundings and passion are out of the box and unique in a way that may alienate him from society. For example he is walking down the street with his girl and describes it like so, “The muttering retreats; Of restless nights in one-night cheap hotels;And sawdust restaurants with oyster-shells; Streets that follow like a tedious argument; Of insidious intent; To lead you to an overwhelming question...; Oh, do not ask, `` What is it? ;''Let us go and make our visit.”

Modernist are unique minded and see things in a weird out of the ordinary manner. This poem further goes into his passion and insecurities, to the way his life is going and ending. Another modernist way of thought is this line, which makes me think. “I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.” At first glance you read it and are like WTF? What he is trying to say is he spent a lot of time thinking threw his life (while drinking coffee) but this stuck out to me because not many people think like this, but modernist, and I feel he and this poem greatly relates to modernism because of that reason.

-Nathan Nash

3. The term existentialism is the philosophical theory that states individuality doesn’t just happen, you must first pull of acts of freedom, and self thought to become an individual, to exist. A quote that states, “I think; therefore I exist” from Descartes. This quote states that without a thought process or opinion, you have no say, therefore you do not exist. It also states that a self-opinion is an act of freedom, therefore an individual, a existentialist, may be born. Existentialist believes in steps. Fear of freedom is the first step and anxiety follows along with despair. Fear of being free, the fear of living in a world that was chosen for you with little control. Anxiety from that fear of having your own nature. Also despair, from seeing the world we are put in without choice. All this relates to the theory of existentialism.

-Nathan Nash