Modernity

Definition

Modernity refers to the cultural, social, and political changes that arose in the wake of the Industrial Revolution, leading to new ways of thinking about society, identity, and the individual. It encompasses a shift towards rationality, secularism, and the embrace of progress, which influenced artistic expressions and literary movements across various cultures, including East Asia. This concept is crucial for understanding how themes and styles have evolved within East Asian literatures as well as their place in the broader context of world literature.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Modernity often emphasizes themes of individualism, as characters in East Asian literature navigate their identities amidst rapid societal changes.
2. The rise of urbanization during modernity led to new settings in East Asian literature, reflecting the challenges and opportunities presented by city life.
3. Modernity is marked by a questioning of traditional values, which is evident in the ways characters interact with family and societal expectations in East Asian texts.
4. Literary forms such as realism and modernist poetry became prominent in East Asian literature during periods of modernization, allowing authors to express complex emotional landscapes.
5. The impact of global events such as colonialism and war during the modern era deeply influenced the narratives and styles found in East Asian literature.

Review Questions

• How did the concept of modernity influence themes of identity in East Asian literature?
  • Modernity brought about significant changes that reshaped individuals' understanding of themselves within society. In East Asian literature, themes of identity are often explored through characters who struggle with traditional values versus modern ideals. The tension between individual desires and societal expectations reflects a broader commentary on the effects of modernization on personal identity.
• Discuss how urbanization during the period of modernity impacted literary settings and styles in East Asian literature.
  • Urbanization led to dramatic shifts in East Asian societies as people moved from rural areas to cities. This transition is reflected in literary works that focus on urban life, capturing the complexities and challenges faced by individuals in these new environments. Authors began to experiment with narrative styles that mirrored the chaos and dynamism of city living, utilizing techniques like stream-of-consciousness or fragmented narratives to convey the fast-paced changes of modern life.
• Evaluate the significance of modernity in connecting East Asian literature to global literary movements during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
  • Modernity serves as a bridge that connects East Asian literature with global literary movements like realism and modernism. As writers from different cultures grappled with similar issues brought about by industrialization and war, they shared innovative techniques and themes. This exchange enriched East Asian literature while simultaneously contributing to a global dialogue about modern existence, identity crises, and cultural dislocation, highlighting both unique experiences and universal struggles.

Related terms

Postmodernism:

A reaction against modernity that emerged in the mid-20th century, characterized by skepticism towards grand narratives and ideologies, focusing instead on relativism and fragmentation in art and literature.

Industrialization: The process of transforming economies from agrarian to industrial, which marked a significant shift in social structures, labor practices, and urban development during the era of modernity.

Enlightenment: An intellectual movement in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized reason, science, and individualism over tradition and religious authority, laying the groundwork for modern thought.