Difference of Modernism and Post Modernism
By: Andrew • Essay • 914 Words • December 8, 2009 • 1,196 Views
Essay title: Difference of Modernism and Post Modernism
Modernism and Post Modernism
Have you ever wondered what the differences are between the modernism and post modernism? It seems like it would be easy to describe what they are by the words and what they are usually associated with. Yet, it's actually a lot different then your thinking. Modernism is the movement in visual arts, music, literature, and drama, which rejected the old Victorian standards of how art should be made, consumed, and what it should mean. Modernists want the absolute truth in everything. While on the other hand, Post Modernism is relating to, or being any of several movements (as in art, architecture, or literature) that are reactions against the philosophy and practices of modern movements and are marked by revival of traditional elements. By explaining a few things in detail I hope to show you a few things in contrast between the two in order to help you understand better.
If modernists want the absolute truths in everything, do you think the human body would be something to work on? If you look in chapter thirty-four on pg. 871, you see figure 34.2 Fit for Active Service. What is going on in this drawing you might ask? Well it looks as though the fat German doctor is pointing out something to perfect with the skeleton. As you read through the text that describes what is being done it points to the army doctor pronouncing the skeletal cadaver "O.K.", hence, fit to serve in combat. The panel to the time to bring a skeletal cadaver in and figure out what would be good for the war and combat on the human body. Definitely looking for the flaws and how to perfect them to make themselves stronger. There seems to be no need for mistake in what they are doing and proceeding this way will fix any misconceptions they may have with the human body and war combat.
A man once lived by the name of Wilfred Owen and he wrote of the waste of human life and resources in the events of war. He also felt that is was overly barbaric to involve oneself with war. When you read through his poem reading 6.7, he explains to you the horror and reality of what is actually going on in the battlefield. The first few lines give you the feeling of what the men are going through. Line five and six explain that, "Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots, but limped on, blood-shod. All went lame, all blind". Owen points out that there is no beauty in dying for your country and that it is all a lie on what has been made a reality for many. What's ironic about it all is that the poet died in combat at only 25 years old. Thus, making it that much more real in what he is trying to push across the minds of other people with this poem. It's not just another poem it's reality.
Postmodernism shows its face in many ways. One painting that I picked that you might find interesting is figure 36.2. Betye Saar portrays what looks to be Aunt Jemima in a fashion that goes completely against what she was first introduced as being. When you think of this famous face you would think of walking into a cozy kitchen