1915 in literature

The initial conclusion one can draw from the critique of modern culture by both Kafka and Eliot in their portrayals of modern man is that it is them placed in these settings and their literature is simply an outlet for said critique. The modernist sentiments expressed in their works were, in part, universally held opinions amongst literary contemporaries of theirs and as such were not only a veritable representation of them coming to grips with the reality of the world around them, but also of course how they particularly dealt with issues on an individual basis. Issues of spirituality, crises of identity and the ability to overcome the very trappings of the harsh times they existed in were at the forefront of their works. Kafka employed a…

Literature throughout time often features characters who are similar for a variety of reasons. During the nineteenth century many works of literature featured characters who were devalued, exploited, or dehumanized and how they achieve or transform status and gain self respect and/or freedom. These works emphasize the importance of the common man. This trend in print could be attributed to the political climate throughout the nineteenth century. This was a time of turmoil as many people began to…

On a cursory reading of Robert Frost’s 1915 poem, “The Road Not Taken,” Frost appears to be thinking that about the life choices pending a decision regarding which road to talk. Though this poem is known to be written by Frost in one of his vacant moods, the frame of mind of Frost is difficult to measure. Frost was right in analyzing his inner world when he wrote, “I’m never more serious than when joking” (Robinson, 2016). As such, literary critic and scholar David Orr (2016) is right when he…

Thirdly, oriental mysticism as revealed in Hindu and Chinese classics reached America in English translations. As a result, New England Transcendentalism blended native American tradition with foreign influences. Development Ralph Waldo Emerson published Nature in 1836 which represented a new way of intellectual thinking in America. “The Universe is composed of Nature and the Soul. Spirit is present everywhere.” This new voice led American Romanticism to a new and mature period, the…

S. Eliot produced many poems and plays throughout his lifetime. In the years 1916 until 1922, Eliot wrote a myriad of essays and reviews to “The Dial”, “Athenaeum”, “The Egoist”, and “The Times Literary Supplement”, among other journals (Ackroyd 703). Eliot showed his poems to Conrad Aiken, who passed them along to Ezra Pound who then forwarded it to the editor of “Poetry” magazine Harriet Monroe. By June 1915, “Prufrock” was published in “Poetry” (Bloom 2). In July, Eliot’s “Preludes” and…

History and Literature connect in every time period and continue to do so. What is experienced during one’s lifetime affects what and how the literary works are written. These great literary works continue to apply to later generations, and continue to be considered important by readers for the significance of its content and the artistry of its form. The content often teaches valuable life lessons. Great literature is important to read because it humanizes us, draws us together into community,…

Arthur Miller is one of the popular authors of the 20th century (“Arthur Miller”); having sold over 250 million books, his contribution to literature is extensive. He has a lot of novels, plays, and fiction stories written. He became a well-known writer after writing the play Death of a Salesman. An interesting thing about his career and the play is that he wrote Death of a Salesman in just one day and won three awards from it (“Arthur Miller Facts”). In the play, Death of a Salesman, Arthur…

I became attracted to Loy’s poem after reading her biography because the poetry she wrote broke away from the traditional male dominate poetry. She was controversial and represented modern feminism during her time. Loy’s voice added diversity to the modernism by the structure and bewildering word choices presented in her poem Love Song. Love Song can be easily seen to be inspired by her real life casthopic experience with love through her failing marriage and two affairs during the time it was…

such as industrialism, rapid growth of cities, and the horrors of WWI, in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Modernism rejects earlier ideas, such as enlightenment thinking, in part due to the religious undertones it entails. In 1915, Modernist poet T. S. Eliot’s famous poem, ‘The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock’ was published. Writer Ronald Bush (1999) notes that it had an “effect that was both unique and compelling and their assurance staggered Eliot's contemporaries who were…

ensure their safety—as well as their educational and spiritual development—until they were quickly moved to other quarters with less sympathetic overseers (Doughan). By this time, Tolkien’s linguistic prowess was already presenting itself vividly. He had already mastered the languages common to the arts and literature at the time, and soon he was learning others and even creating some for his own amusement (Doughan). In 1911, he studied at Exter College, Oxford, staying there for two years…