Module 8: Voices of Courage During Modernism

The dawning of the 20th century brought much change and conflict to the United States. Global war, economic crisis, and a general frustration with lack of advancement conspired to shake the very core of American culture. Gone was the hope for and promise of limitless opportunity. Confusion, fear, and cynicism took over the hearts and minds of Americans and ushered in a new cultural and literary movement: Modernism.

In this module, you will learn about the basic foundations of the Modernist movement and how Modernism was incorporated into novels of the era through a dedicated novel study. You will select one of the following novels to read throughout the duration of this module: Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God or John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. Both novels, set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, feature courageous protagonists who must overcome challenging obstacles to achieve their dreams.

Throughout the module, you will also re-examine the concept and definition of the American Dream. What happens when dreams are hindered? What kinds of obstacles are likely to impede the pursuit of the dream? Is the dream even possible? How has the American Dream evolved to today?

 

Getting Started

Robert Frost lived from 1874 to 1963 and is one of America's most celebrated poets. He is well-known for his portraits of New England rural life and his command of English colloquialism, ultimately winning four Pulitzer Prizes for poetry. Read Robert Frost's poem "The Road Not Taken."

What point is Frost making in his poem? How does Frost describe the two roads? At what point in time does the last stanza take place? Take a moment to consider these questions and contemplate the poem. As you work through this module, keep this poem in mind. Try to figure out how the poem connects to the novel you select to read.




Key Vocabulary

To view the definitions for these key vocabulary terms, visit the course glossary.

 

cliché	jargon	symbol
disillusionment	Modernism	symbolism
euphemism	motif	theme
idiom	slang