The 20 th century was the period between

The 20 th century was the period between January 1, 1901 and December 31, 2000, inclusive. It was the tenth and last century of the 2 nd millennium. It is distinct from the century known as the 1900 s which began on January 1, 1900 and ended December 31, 1999. The century in human history was dominated by World War I and World War II, nationalism and decolonization, the Cold War and Post-Cold War conflicts, cultural homogenization through developments in transportation and communications technology, awareness of environmental degradation, and the birth of the Digital Revolution.

It was a century that started with horses, simple automobiles, and freighters but ended with highspeed rail, cruise ships, global commercial air travel and the space shuttle. Horses, Western society's basic form of personal transportation for thousands of years, were replaced by automobiles and buses within a few decades. These developments were made possible by the exploitation of fossil fuel resources, which offered energy in an easily portable form, but also caused concern about pollution and long-term impact on the environment. Humans explored space for the first time, taking their first footsteps on the Moon.

At the beginning of the century, strong discrimination based on race and sex was significant in general society. Although the Atlantic slave trade had ended in the 19 th century, the fight for equality for darkerskinned people in the white societies of North America, Europe, and South Africa continued. During the century, the social taboo of sexism fell. By the end of the 20 th century, women had the same legal rights as men in many parts of the world, and racism had come to be seen as abhorrent.

The 1930 s saw the marked growth of mass culture as citizens sought diversion from their troubles. Most popular culture centered on escapist themes and/or humor. In film, comedies were the most highly attended of all genres. Radio shows also became immensely popular during this period, so much so that the 1930 s is often called the Golden Age of Radio. Magazines similarly provided popular diversion. Life magazine began publication during the 1930 s, filling its pages with pictures of spectacular scenes and glorified personalities.

Literary work of the 1930 s focused on the rejection of the notion of progress and a desire to return to an earlier age of purity and simplicity. John Steinbeck’s 1939 novel, The Grapes of Wrath, glorified a simple, rural way of life. Jack Conroy’s The Disinherited, a 1933 chronicle of an average industrial worker’s life in the Depression Era, conveyed disillusionment and cynicism.

The most canon authors of American literature of 20 th century are William Faulkner, Ernest Hemingway, Joseph Heller, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Harper Lee, Edith Wharton, Theodore Dreiser , Margaret Mitchell , Ezra Pound

The American Dream - is a national ethos of the United States, a set of ideals in which freedom includes the opportunity for prosperity and success, and an upward social mobility for the family and children, achieved through hard work in a society with few barriers. The term "American Dream" first was used by the American historian James Truslow Adams in his book "The Epic of America". At that time the United States were suffering under the Great Depression 2. Adams used the term to describe the complex beliefs, religious promises and political and social expectations.

For a lot of people "The American Dream" is connected to becoming wealthy and the ability to achieve everything if one only works hard enough for it. For others it is much more and is beyond materialism. For them it is the dream of living a simple, happy and fulfilling life and the most important features being faith and equality. "The American Dream" also is about liberty and America being the country of unlimited opportunities.

REALISM Realism - a literary movement stressing the depiction of contemporary life and society as it exists or existed. An artistic movement begun in 19 th century France. Some characteristics: Emphasis on psychological, optimistic tone, details, pragmatic, practical, slow-moving plot Rounded, dynamic characters who serve purpose in plot Insistence on experience of the commonplace Scenic representation important Major Realists Writers : Henry James Rebecca Harding Davis Sarah Orne Jewett Mark Twain William Dean Howells Ambrose Bierce

NATURALISM The term Naturalism describes a type of literature that attempts to apply scientific principles of objectivity and detachment to its study of human beings. Some characteristics: Detached method of narration Human beings unable to stand up against enormous weight of circumstances. Violence -force against force Animal imagery Attention to setting to the point of saturation Major Naturalists Writers : Jack London Frank Norris Stephen Crane Theodore Dreiser Edith Whatron Ellen Glasgow John Steinbeck Richard Wright

MODERNISM Modernism -is a movement that, along with cultural trends and changes, arose from wide-scale and far-reaching transformations in Western society in the late 19 th and early 20 th centuries Some characteristics: There is no such thing as absolute truth. All things are relative. No connection with history or institutions. Their experience is that of alienation, loss, and despair. Championship of the individual and celebration of inner strength. Concerned with the sub-conscious. Modernist Writers : Elizabeth Bishop Hilda Doolittle William Faulkner F. Scott Fitzgerald Ernest Hemingway Henry James

EXPERIMENTAL LITARATURE Experimental literature refers to written work usually fiction or poetry that emphasizes innovation, most especially in technique. Contemporary American authors: Nicholson Baker - noted for minimalism in novels: The Mezzanine, about a man who rides an escalator for 140 pages Mark Danielewski - combined elements of a horror novel with formal academic writing and typographic experimentation in his novel House of Leaves

LOCAL AND ETHNIC LITERATURES Local literature -is an informative booklet or other means of information that informs people about the local environment. Some examples of local literature would include Flora of Northeastern Minnesota, Plans of South Dakots and Spring Flora of Wisconsin. Ethnic literature - is literature like any other except that it contains ethnic references. Sometimes it is said the ethnic reference make the literature a unique statement, but in any case the focus of attention according to the defenition should be upon the ethnicity revealed by textual reference.

QUESTIONS: 1. Named some Naturalists writers. 2. What is American Dream? 3. The most canon authors of American literature of 20 th century are … 4. Named some characteristics of Modernism 5.