The post modernists are experimental and innovative. They are avant-garde- in basic terms- nothing more than the newest perspective. Different styles looking to create instead of replicate. Poems that are meant to be read out loud and brutally dissected. The poetry is almost meant to be discussed in order to provoke a realistic and individualized sense of modern times. Directness is rarely an option. And fiction is mostly poetic. There is a deep connection discovered among writing, art and music. Beat, tempo, and rhythm; spontaneity, connotation, and intuition- are all necessary. Prerequisites: nineteenth-century romanticism and early twentieth-century modernism. Historically, any piece of literature after WWII is within the genre of postmodern. But, there are different ways to look at the effects of postmodernism in literature and in society. In fact, all postmodernists make it a point to rebel against societal ways, inventing away from the old ways. So it is necessary to look at contemporary lifestyle in order to deconstruct this term.
First, here’s a list all the things which postmodernism claim not to be:
Capitalism, product. Numbness, robotic ways. Plug-in formulas. Narrative authority. Expression, intention. Appropriation. Compliance, unity. Academia.
Out which the old, and in with the new:
The postmodernist society is the “I” generation- selfish cyborgs. This one stars in his or her own reality tv show, the one who abuses the spotlight, the dead author, don’t tell, show. Our whole life, and generations before us, the ways of America have been brainwashed into our schooling, thinking process, media, dress codes, and even literary concepts. All Americans grew up in television, Disney, English literature, the swiping of invisible money, and …thanks to numerous laws and regulations, in a plastic, non-sustainable bubble. Americans only connection to the hardships of the rest of the world can be seen through newscasts and via traveling. In fact, after being completely immersed into another culture, it was upon returning to America, did I receive a reverse culture shock about how powerful our country is on a global level. Americans are cultureless. And it is spreading- capitalism, American holidays and religions, that devalue identity.
Globalism is the future. In India, something like 52% of the population is under 25 (guesstimate but relatively accurate). The young generation have jobs, installations of telemarketing companies provided by yours truly- America. They perfect English and have money to shop and move out of their parent’s house. They now reject marriage and instead date without their parent’s knowledge. On one hand, India’s economy is blossoming and the young generations look forward to being responsible for their own life paths. But also, the traditional, ritualistic, rich culture of the older population is dying out or becoming scarcer. This is postmodernism- the death of the old. How avant-garde. Is there no satisfaction in the traditional ways to writing and living?
I could argue that the postmodernists need an escape from this world of “me, me, me” and find comfort in opposing the already existing. I know I rebel just for the sake of it. The writers of today are bored with the classical and are inspired by the convergence of all art and life. All-in-all, this sounds a little too familiar? French impressionism was built on the new perspective, the lifestyle of artists, the dependency of other’s interpretation. But what’s after avant-garde? I want realism, directness, [brutal] truth. Performance pieces have to be entertainingly direct in order to inspire change. If postmodernists are rebelling against a capitalist dominant society where they refuse their work to be seen as a product, then what is their dramatic contribution against the norm? If it is for the sake of individual relief and expression then they fit into the “I” generation. If it is to create a work different than before- failure. If it is to evoke a realistic sense of American influence, then be more specific. I don’t get it. The only change is the reflection on what one chooses to be educated on- and not rely on academic institutions. You must understand context and connotation, or else language poetry is just random pickings.
However, as challenging of a concept to take on in two weeks, one response about Postmodern American poetry is just the beginning. I hope that my dramatic response will lead to some revelation (possibly the beginning of a new era) or maybe I am really postmodern at heart? After all, we all want to live as tragically poetic as James Dean’s enjambed life was.
Okay, Jessica. Obviously, you kind of got off-topic here and didn't do what we talked about (focusing on one poem).
ReplyDeleteBut clearly you're grappling with a serious and difficult question here that is obviously bothering you. So let's focus on that.
First off, let me say that "Postmodernism" is a very difficult, multilayered, and seriously contested concept that takes a lot of time and effort to clearly understand. On top of that, there are different strains of postmodernism that don't necessarily cohere with one another. There are many people who really detest postmodernism because they either see it as vacant and meaningless, or they think of it as simply (in the words of Moe from the Simpsons) "weird for weird's sake." As with any kind of philosophical standpoint, I think both of these could be considered true of badly executed examples.
This question about how the extensive human suffering in the real world relates to an avant-garde art form that seems to be more about rebelling against previous authorities, is an important one, and actually is one of the central concerns of postmodernism.
One of the central concepts of postmodernism is the idea of deconstruction. Deconstructionists want to take old forms (mainly old ways of viewing the world), and not just rebel against them, but pick them apart using their own rules to expose how these previous philosophies, forms, and moralities were often biased, self-centered, or just plain wrong. These inconsistencies of the past often led to the privileging of white, anglo-European, heterosexual, educated, upper-class men (capitalism is certainly one of these mechanisms, but so is psychology, sometimes science, and particularly religion). Which, in turn, has led to much of the suffering in the world. If, these deconstructionists claim, we could tear down the basic foundations of these belief systems, we might be able to move forward in a more egalitarian society.
Now not all postmodern theorists or artists believe in this egalitarian utopia. However, most of them are still interested in the conditions of power and privilege and how they are maintained. So you can see, it's very political.
Of course this isn't the only thing that postmodernism is interested in. Hopefully, you'll be able to see more and more of this in your time here at CCA.
One more thing I want to point out: While you're right, that postmodernism certainly has some of the same qualities of every other avant-garde movement that came before it, postmodernism is significantly different in a few ways. 1) It is intensely aware of itself as indebted to its forerunners (hence the name "post") and is clear that true "break" or rebellion isn't really possible, and 2) postmodernism is a significant shift in the fundamental philosophical foundations of Western thought since ancient Greece (partially because of the influence of Eastern thought; partially because of advances in other areas, such as science).
So, while I think your questioning of all this stuff is really, really important, keep an open mind to all of it as you continue to investigate this stuff.
Lastly, let me just say that while your prose here has a quick trajectory and certainly some evocative images, work (even in this kind of poetics statement) on being clear in your statements. Clear doesn't mean simple or reductionist, but more that you say what you mean in the best way possible.
Sorry, I've got to take points off for straying from the assignment; it's only fair=7
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well, that's what happens when you miss the day postmodernism is explained, thanks for the help eric. believe me, i've been talking about postmodernism to any one who can offer insight. this journey has led me to interesting results...and -on campus- more to come...
ReplyDelete