Change and Its Impact

Spanning the first half of the 20th century, the Modernism period covers a wide expanse of growth and change. Events in this period range from trench warfare in World War I to the use of the Internet today. During this time, British writers responded to the crippling devastation of not one, but two world wars. British literature also reflected the crumbling of the once-powerful British Empire, which struggled to its new role in the changing world order.

The literature that developed in this era is strikingly different from that of the past in its desire to incorporate voices and experiences from across the globe. As the times rapidly and drastically changed, so too did the the language and literature.

Getting Started

Throughout the 20th century, the English language continued to evolve on both sides of the Atlantic. Sometimes the British and American dialects of English grew together, and other times they diverged. Additionally, new words were continually added to popular vocabulary as machines and devices, such as cars and radios, were being invented and integrated into everyday life. Unfortunately, most of the globe was greatly impacted by such tragic events as two world wars. The legacy of these wars and other events are still evident in English vocabulary today. Take a moment to explore some of the new vocabulary that evolved in the English language during the first half of the 20th century. Click the player button to begin.

 

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

 

avant-garde

free verse

memoir

stream of consciousness