Postmodernism and Contemporary Literature

Summary

Dr. Michael Greedy's lecture delves into the complexities of post-modernism in contemporary literature and culture. He defines post-modernism as a movement emerging after modernism, characterized by its experimental and often controversial nature. The talk explores key post-modernist techniques such as nostalgia mode, intertextuality, meta-fiction, and the concept of the 'death of the real,' using examples from literature, film, and art to illustrate these concepts. Greedy encourages audience interaction, inviting them to consider the value of novelty in art and the implications of a reality that may not be as authentic as perceived.

Takeaways

• 📚 Post-modernism is a term describing art and culture that emerged after the modernist movement, with broad implications in literature, architecture, painting, cinema, and more.
• 🔍 The term 'post-modernism' is controversial, with disagreements on its definition and whether it is a positive or negative development in art and culture.
• 🕰 Modernism, a precursor to post-modernism, was characterized by experimental writing and art from the late 19th to early 20th century, with notable figures like James Joyce and Virginia Woolf.
• 🖼️ The contrast between traditional and modernist art is stark, with modernism pushing boundaries through abstraction, fragmentation, and innovation.
• 📖 Modernist literature often employed complex and cryptic styles, such as the stream-of-consciousness technique exemplified in James Joyce's 'Finnegans Wake'.
• 🎭 Post-modernism often grapples with the 'postmodern dilemma', questioning how to innovate in the shadow of modernism's extreme experiments.
• 🔄 The 'nostalgia mode' in post-modernism involves drawing on past styles and genres, as seen in George Lucas's 'Star Wars', blending samurai, western, and fairy tale elements.
• 🔗 'Intertextuality' is a post-modernist technique where one literary text includes or references another, creating a dialogue between works and challenging the notion of originality.
• 🎨 'Meta-fiction' is a form of writing where a story is about the process of storytelling itself, often blurring the lines between fiction and reality.
• 🌐 The concept of the 'death of the real' in post-modernism suggests that reality may not be as authentic as perceived, often explored in films like 'The Truman Show' and 'The Matrix'.
• 🤔 The script invites reflection on the value of novelty and originality in art, the role of nostalgia, and the implications of questioning reality's authenticity.

Q & A

What is the main topic of Dr. Michael Greedy's talk?

The main topic of Dr. Michael Greedy's talk is post-modernism and contemporary literature, focusing on defining post-modernism and introducing key post-modernist techniques.

What is the time frame of the modernist movement as mentioned in the talk?

The modernist movement is said to run roughly from 1890 to 1940 in the talk.

How does post-modernism relate to modernism according to the script?

Post-modernism is presented as an umbrella term for styles of art and culture that appeared after the modernist movement, broadly in the aftermath of the Second World War.

What are some of the characteristics of modernist writing mentioned in the talk?

Some characteristics of modernist writing mentioned include complexity, fragmentation, and aggressive innovation.

Can you provide an example of a modernist artwork from the visual arts?

An example of a modernist artwork from the visual arts is not explicitly named in the script, but a painting from 1913 is described as abstract, fragmented, and experimental.

What is the significance of the excerpt from James Joyce's 'Finnegans Wake'?

The excerpt from 'Finnegans Wake' is used to illustrate the cryptic, semi-nonsensical, and stream of consciousness style of modernist writing, which is experimental and challenging to read.

What is the 'postmodern dilemma' as described in the talk?

The 'postmodern dilemma' refers to the challenge faced by writers and artists working after the modernist movement, questioning how to create art that is both new and innovative without simply imitating or being overshadowed by the extreme experiments of modernism.

What is the 'nostalgia mode' in post-modernism?

The 'nostalgia mode' in post-modernism is about artists and writers drawing on past styles and genres to create something new, often revisiting older cultural elements with a 'back to the future' quality.

What does 'intertextuality' mean in the context of literature?

Intertextuality refers to the presence of part of one literary text within another, which could be through direct quotations, indirect references, or shared characters or storylines.

Can you explain the concept of 'metafiction' as introduced in the talk?

Metafiction is a form of fiction that is about books or storytelling itself, often involving elements that make the reader aware of the fictional construct, such as characters being aware they are in a novel.

What is the concept of the 'death of the real' in post-modernist culture?

The 'death of the real' is a post-modernist concept that questions the authenticity and substantiality of reality, often explored in works that blur the lines between reality and illusion, such as in films like 'The Truman Show' or 'The Matrix'.

How does Dr. Greedy suggest we engage with the talk's interactive elements?

Dr. Greedy suggests pausing the recording at certain points to reflect on questions, discuss with others if possible, and jot down thoughts or ideas to engage with the interactive elements of the talk.