According to "Make it New": Early Modernism, how did World War I influence modernist writing?

Question

Modernist writing described scenes of war and how it affected soldiers and their families.
Modernist writing expressed the changes in people's beliefs and attitudes due to the war.
Modernist writing protested the war and reflected the general public’s opposition to it.
Modernist writing served as advertisement for the war and was seen by many as a government public-relations campaign.

Answer 1

World War I significantly influenced modernist writing in various ways, but the most fitting description from your options is: Modernist writing expressed the changes in people's beliefs and attitudes due to the war.

The war led to a profound disillusionment with traditional values and norms, causing writers to explore themes of fragmentation, alienation, and the breakdown of societal structures. Modernist writers often depicted the psychological impacts of the war on individuals and society, reflecting a shift in perception and belief systems that emerged from the experiences and aftermath of the conflict. While some works did protest the war or depict it critically, the overall modernist movement is characterized more by its exploration of the complexities of human experience in a rapidly changing world, heavily influenced by the traumas of the war.

Answer 2

According to "Make it New": Early Modernism, which historical events had the most significant impact on modernist writing?
Einstein's Theory of Relativity
the Wright Brothers' first airplane flight
the Great Depression
World War I

Answer 3

According to "Make it New": Early Modernism, the historical event that had the most significant impact on modernist writing was World War I.

The war brought about profound changes in society, culture, and individual consciousness, leading to a sense of disillusionment and a questioning of traditional values and narratives. These shifts heavily influenced modernist writers, who often grappled with themes of fragmentation, alienation, and the complexities of human experience in the wake of such widespread trauma. While other events like Einstein's Theory of Relativity and the Wright Brothers' flight contributed to modernist thought in terms of scientific and technological advancement, World War I was particularly pivotal in shaping the themes and concerns central to modernist literature.

Answer 4

Which best describes the relationship between early modernist writers and painters?
Both groups attempted to create vivid and powerful images that conveyed complex meanings.
Both groups used traditional forms to express their views on World War I and the Great Depression.
Both groups expressed themselves using concrete and realistic images instead of abstraction.
Both groups felt that they were in competition with other artists to create the most innovative work.

Answer 5

The statement that best describes the relationship between early modernist writers and painters is: Both groups attempted to create vivid and powerful images that conveyed complex meanings.

Early modernist writers and painters were united in their desire to explore new forms of expression and to convey complex ideas and emotions through their work. They often sought to break away from traditional forms and conventions, using innovative techniques to capture the complexities of modern life. While competition and the use of abstraction were present in the art movements of the time, the primary focus was on the creation of impactful imagery and the exploration of deeper meanings in their respective mediums.

Answer 6

Read the poem “The Garret,” by Ezra Pound.

COME let us pity those who are better off than we are.
Come, my friend, and remember
that the rich have butlers and no friends,
And we have friends and no butlers.
Come let us pity the married and the unmarried.

Dawn enters with little feet
like a gilded Pavlova,
And I am near my desire.
Nor has life in it aught better
Than this hour of clear coolness,
the hour of waking together.

Which is a modernist technique used in the poem?
clear and direct language
consistent stanza structure
traditional rhyme and rhythm
predictable line lengths

Answer 7

The modernist technique used in the poem “The Garret” by Ezra Pound is clear and direct language.

Modernist poetry often breaks away from traditional forms and embraces a more straightforward and candid approach to language and expression. In this poem, Pound uses simple yet evocative language to convey complex emotions and themes. The clarity in the language reflects a modernist trait of seeking to express real experiences and sentiments without adhering to the constraints of traditional rhyme, rhythm, or predictable structures.

Answer 8

Read the poem “Sea Rose,” by H.D.

Rose, harsh rose,
marred and with stint of petals,
meagre flower, thin,
sparse of leaf,

more precious
than a wet rose
single on a stem? —
you are caught in the drift.

Stunted, with small leaf,
you are flung on the sand,
you are lifted
in the crisp sand
that drives in the wind.

Can the spice-rose
drip such acrid fragrance
hardened in a leaf?

What is a theme of “Sea Rose”?
isolation
beauty
instability
mystery

Answer 9

A prevailing theme of “Sea Rose” by H.D. is isolation.

The poem's imagery suggests a sense of hardship and struggle, as the rose is described as "harsh," "marred," and "stunted," emphasizing its unfavorable condition and the environment it inhabits. Instead of traditional beauty, the poem conveys a sense of resilience in isolation and highlights the contrast between the sea rose and the more typical, desirable rose. This idea of a flower thriving in a difficult circumstance reflects themes of isolation and the unique beauty that can arise from it.

Answer 10

Read the poem “The Garret,” by Ezra Pound.

COME let us pity those who are better off than we are.
Come, my friend, and remember
that the rich have butlers and no friends,
And we have friends and no butlers.
Come let us pity the married and the unmarried.

Dawn enters with little feet
like a gilded Pavlova,
And I am near my desire.
Nor has life in it aught better
Than this hour of clear coolness,
the hour of waking together.

Which best describes the modernist theme reflected in the poem?
mistrust of authority
the isolation of individuals
optimism in the face of devastation
fear of new technology

Answer 11

The modernist theme reflected in “The Garret” by Ezra Pound is best described as the isolation of individuals.

In the poem, there is a contrast between the lives of the rich and the poor, highlighting a sense of emotional and social isolation experienced by individuals, regardless of their material conditions. The lines illustrate a certain distance from societal norms, suggesting that wealth does not equate to genuine friendship, while the speaker values the connections with friends despite their lack of wealth. The overall tone captures the complexities of human relationships and the feeling of solitude that can accompany both wealth and poverty, emphasizing individual experiences in a modern context.