The Need And Real Understanding Of Modernism
Historians have classified the 20th century into modernism and postmodernism era. Few experts are of the view that both to be parts of one larger period, while some consider them separately. Modernism, to be very simple stands for modern thoughts and practices and is a cultural movement which includes progressive art and architecture, music, designs and different forms of art. Modernism is founded by a strong and deliberate split in the traditions, and includes reaction against literature, art, etc. Modernism has provided us the latest styles and attitudes, and also revolutionary thoughts and practices. For example, modern classic furniture, such as Bauhaus furniture and Modloft furniture are examples of modernism, which have now become a symbol of elegance and sophistication.
Roots of Modernism
For historians, modernism may have started in the sixteenth century. This is regarded as the Early Modern era and extends up to 18th century. Modernism started during the Renaissance times and it was at that time when people changed the notion of man through art, poetry, philosophy, and through ideas. The basic of modernism went much deeper when it enters to the 19th century, as after World War II, much focus was laid on unconventional visual and performing arts.
This Enlightenment times saw the maturation of human beliefs as well as lead to the Scientific Revolution, which opened path for intellectuals like Galileo and Newton. Two of the elite people who shaped this era were Charles Darwin, with the theory of evolution, and Karl Marx, who played a prominent role in modernism and communism. Yet, it is in the ideals of Enlightenment that the foundation of modernism can be traced. Intellectuals of 18th and 19th century believe that almost everything has a cause: traditions, customs, art, etc.
Characteristics of Modernism
• Modernism is described as a movement far from the visible objectivity provided by the narrators and clear-cut moral positions. Many famous narrative pieces come under this aspect of modernism.
• Modernists can be viewed as Individuals who investigate and focus more on the axioms, i.e. previously declared assumptions or well-defined rules. They reject the theory of Enlightenment thinking and Superior creator. Although, some modernists rule out these religious beliefs, but not all.
• The language that modernism uses in literature is very cautious in a way. It leads to experiments with work, and focuses more on the processes and products used. We can also say, it considers language as a technique to craft the piece of literature, the same way an artist crafts a piece of art.
• It emphasizes on broken narratives and has fragmented forms and collages.
• Modernism rejects the philosophy of up and down, when it comes to showing off art and architecture.
• It uses pictures and symbols as frequent literary techniques. According to some historians, it dislocates the actual meaning and sense of the work from its real context.
• In literature specifically, it depicts a story with the perspective of several different people, with the belief that the truth is there between those.
• In the present-day era, commentators draw modernism as an overall progressive trend of thoughts, which make man improve and reform the environment, with the help of scientific knowledge and latest technologies. Therefore, modernism is an aspect that encourages the re-examination of every mystery of existence, be it commerce or philosophy.




