The Modernist period in English Literature occupied the years from shortly after the beginning of the 20th century. The modernist texts  represent the changing times due to industrialisation and the state of society post-WWI.

The period was marked by a strong and international break with tradition.This break includes a strong reaction against established religious, political and social views. 

Moreover, the thoughts that influenced this form of literature were influenced by Sigmund Freud and Charles Darwin. 

Modernist literature came into its own due to increasing industrialisation and globalisation. New technology and the horrifying events of both world wars made many people question the future of humanity: what was becoming of the world?

Writers reacted to this question by turning toward Modernist sentiment. In other words, Modernism seeks to find new forms of expression and rejects traditional or accepted ideas. 

What is the definition of modernism in poetry? Modernist poetry is a departure from traditional poetic forms and topics and reflects the attitude and culture of the 20th century. It was born in the aftermath of World War I, when poets like T.S. Eliot, Ezra Pound, Wallace Stevens, William Butler Yeats, Edward Arlington Robinson, and others began to question everything they knew about life. They saw that the world had changed drastically, moving from a rural and agrarian society to a more urban and industrial one.

The Modernists saw this change as an opportunity to reinvent language to express this new reality. They wanted their poems to reflect all aspects of life, even those things that were ugly or uncomfortable. Their poetry aimed to capture what it was like living during such tumultuous times.

Modern poetry is characterised by its free verse and subject matter that often make a statement about society and realistically convey everyday life. 

In Modernist poetry, poets generally discarded traditional concerns about a meter in favour of free verse. The poetic meter is the regular rhythm of words in a line or poem. Free verse is poetry written without rhyme or meter. There are no formal rules about how many syllables or words should be in each line. Instead, it follows an author's own rhythm and cadence. It is also sometimes called blank verse, as it does not have a rhyme scheme or meter.

In contrast with earlier poets who wrote primarily about nature or love and wrote about topics in a romantic way, Modernists wrote about society and real-world events such as war and death. One example is "The Waste Land" by T.S. Eliot, who uses references from ancient myths to create a sense of timelessness for his readers living through similar economic struggles. These poems reflect a shift in poetic concerns from natural elements to the elements that reflect the changing, industrial post-WWI society.

Modernist poets also changed their attitude from optimism to pessimism. During this period, a lot of change was happening in society: new technology was being developed as people moved into cities, and industrialisation occurred. People had more power than ever before, but it was also a time of economic depression and war that caused many people to feel anxious or uncertain about their prospects and place in society.

Individualism

• Experimentation

•  Symbolism

• Absurdity

• Formalism

Main Themes: 

• The Loss of innocence 

• The Senseless loss of Life 

• The Dehumanising effects of war 

• Disillusionment with ideology- politics, religion, institutions (school, health)  

• The irrationality and futility of war 

• Collectivism vs. individualism

•  Societal changes and impact of events on society 

Experimentation and Innovation:
Modernist writers sought to break free from conventional storytelling techniques and experimented with form, structure, and language. They embraced fragmentation, nonlinear narratives, stream-of-consciousness, and other unconventional approaches to reflect the complexity and uncertainty of the modern world.

Rejection of Traditional Realism:
Modernist literature often rejected the traditional representation of reality found in earlier works. Instead, it focused on subjective experiences, interior thoughts, and emotions. This emphasis on individual perspectives allowed writers to explore the fragmented nature of consciousness and the multiplicity of truths.

Fragmentation and Collage:
Fragmentation became a prominent feature of modernist literature, reflecting the fragmented nature of society and human experience. Writers employed disjointed narratives, multiple perspectives, and fragmented imagery to convey the fragmented and disjointed nature of modern life. 

Disillusionment and Loss of Faith:
Many modernist writers expressed a sense of disillusionment and loss of faith in traditional values, institutions, and ideologies. They depicted a world that was uncertain, chaotic, and devoid of meaning, questioning established norms and challenging readers to reconsider their beliefs.

Symbolism and Allusion:
Symbolism and allusion played a crucial role in modernist literature. Writers used symbols, metaphors, and allusions to explore deeper meanings and evoke emotions. They often drew upon mythological, biblical, and historical references to convey complex ideas and convey a sense of intertextuality.

1-In contrast to the Romantic world view, the Modernist writers care little for nature. 

2-In their literary works, The Modernist writers were interested in deeper reality than surface reality. 

3-In other words, there was less emphasis on art's reflection of external reality. 

4-Most of the literary works of the Modern Age were influenced by the disillusionment that came after World War I. 

5-Irony, satire and comparisons are used frequently to illustrate points in regard to society.

 6-Modern Literature with its modern themes and techniques appeared as a reaction against the Victorian Age with its restrictions and traditions.

 7- There is no such thing as absolute truth. All things are relative. 

8-According to the Modernists, life is unordered. 

9-Language is seen as complex- lots of symbolism and figurative language, awareness of connotation and vocabulary. Experimentation with form. 

10-Modernist fiction spoke of inner self and consciousness, and many writers of that age adapted the stream of consciousness technique in their writings, such as James Joyce in his literary work: Ulysses. 

11-Instead of progress, the Modernist writer saw a decline of civilisation.