| Historians have divided the 20th century into | | | | Characteristics of Modernism |
| modernism and postmodernism periods. Some | | | | Modernism is described as a movement away |
| experts believe both to be parts of one larger | | | | from the apparent objectivity given by the |
| period, while others take them separately. | | | | narrators and clear-cut moral positions. Many |
| Modernism, to be very simple, means modern | | | | famous narrative stories come under this aspect |
| thoughts and practices. It is a cultural movement | | | | of modernism. |
| which includes progressive art and architecture, | | | | Modernists can be viewed as people who |
| music, designs and different forms of art. | | | | question and focus more on the axioms, i.e. |
| Modernism is manifested by a strong and | | | | formally declared assumptions or well-defined |
| intentional split in the traditions, and includes | | | | rules. They reject the theory of Enlightenment |
| reaction against literature, art, etc. Modernism has | | | | thinking and All-Mighty Creator. However, some |
| given us the latest styles and attitudes, as well as | | | | modernists reject these religious aspects, but not |
| revolutionary ideas and practices. For example, | | | | all. |
| modern classic furniture, such as Bauhaus | | | | The language that modernism uses in |
| furniture and Modloft furniture are examples of | | | | literature is more in a self-conscious way. It leads |
| modernism, which have now become an icon of | | | | to experiments with work, and focuses more on |
| elegance and sophistication. | | | | the processes and materials used. In other words, |
| Roots of Modernism | | | | it regards language as a technique to craft the |
| For historians, modernism may have started in | | | | piece of literature, just like an artist crafts a piece |
| the sixteenth century. This is regarded as the | | | | of art. |
| Early Modern period and extends up to 18th | | | | It emphasizes on discontinuous narratives and |
| century. The actual modernism appeared during | | | | includes fragmented forms and collages. |
| the Renaissance period. It was at that time when | | | | Modernism rejects the philosophy of high and |
| humans revived the notion of man through art, | | | | low, when it comes to the display and distribution |
| poetry, philosophy, and through ideas. The roots | | | | of art and architecture. |
| of modernism are much deeper when it moves | | | | It uses image and symbols as frequent |
| to the 19th century, as after World War II, much | | | | literary techniques. According to some historians, it |
| emphasis was laid on modern visual and | | | | dislocates the true meaning and sense of the |
| performing arts. | | | | work from its original context. |
| This Enlightenment era saw the maturation of | | | | In literature particularly, it represents a story |
| human beliefs as well as lead to the Scientific | | | | with the perspective of several different people, |
| Revolution, which paved way for scientists like | | | | with the assumption that the truth is there |
| Galileo and Newton. Two of the elite people who | | | | somewhere. |
| shaped this era were Charles Darwin, with the | | | | In the present-day era, commentators draw |
| theory of evolution, and Karl Marx, who played a | | | | modernism as an overall progressive trend of |
| significant role in modernism and communism. | | | | thoughts, which make human beings improve and |
| However, it is in the ideals of Enlightenment that | | | | reform the environment with the help of scientific |
| the roots of modernism can be found. Theorists | | | | knowledge and latest technologies. Hence, |
| and thinkers of 18th and 19th century believe that | | | | modernism is an aspect that encourages the |
| virtually everything has a reason: traditions, | | | | re-examination of every piece of existence, be it |
| customs, art, etc. | | | | commerce or philosophy. |