Page 196 - DENG402_HISTORY_OF_ENGLISH_LITERATURE

Unit 25: Twentieth Century (Modern Novel-Lawrence, Stream of Consciousness)

25.3 Summary Notes

The term modernism refers to the radical shift in aesthetic and cultural sensibilities evi-
dent in the art and literature of the post-World War One period.
This is the most important and popular literary medium in the modern times. It is the only
literary form which can compete for popularity with the film and the radio, and it is in this
form that a great deal of distinguished work is being produced.
Under the influence of Flaubert and Turgeniev, some modern novelists like Henry James
have taken great interest in refining the construction of the novel so that there will be
nothing superfluous, no phrase, paragraph, or sentence which will not contribute to the
total effect.
This ‘stream of consciousness’ technique not only helps to reveal the character completely,
historically as well as psychologically, it also presents development in character, which is
in itself very difficult

25.4 Keywords
The Renaissance : The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the
14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages
and later spreading to the rest of Europe.
Stream of Consciousness : In literary criticism, stream of consciousness is a narrative mode that
seeks to portray an individual’s point of view by giving the written
equivalent of the character’s thought processes, either in a loose interior
monologue, or in connection to his or her actions.

25.5 Review Questions

1. What is modernism and the modern novel?
2. What is modem drama? Explain.
3. What is stream of consciousness? Explain.

Answers : Self Assessment
1. Modernism 2. Political cost 3. Masterpieces
4. England 5. Sexual matters

25.6 Further Readings

Books The Concise Cambridge History of English Literature, 3rd edition CUP, New
Delhi, 2005: Sampson, George.
A Critical History of English Literature, IV Vol, 2nd ed. Ronald, New York, 1970:
Daiches, David.
History of English Literature, Cambridge University Press, London, 1968: Legouis
and Cazamian.

Online links faithandglobalization.yale.edu/node/966
engl352.pbworks.com/w/page/18970054/Stream%20of%20Consciousness
www.answers.com/topic/stream-of-consciousness

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