Chapter I. Background

CHAPTER II
. 
SPECIAL FEATURES
 

2.1 Specific Features of American Modernism. Disillusionment
and Fragmented Narratives. 
American modernist literature is characterized by several distinctive features 
that emerged as a response to the sociopolitical climate of the time. Two prominent 
features include disillusionment and fragmented narratives: 
1. Disillusionment: 
Disillusionment is a pervasive theme in American modernist literature, arising 
from the aftermath of World War I, economic collapse during the Great Depression, 
and the erosion of traditional values. American modernist writers portrayed a sense 
of disillusionment, skepticism, and despair, challenging the optimism and ideals of 
previous generations. They explored themes of personal and societal 
disillusionment, showcasing the breakdown of beliefs and the loss of faith in 
traditional institutions such as religion, politics, and social structure. 
2. Fragmented Narratives: 
American modernist literature often employs fragmented narratives, reflecting 
the disordered and disrupted nature of the modern world. Writers experimented 
with non-linear structures, stream-of-consciousness techniques, and multiple 
perspectives, abandoning traditional linear storytelling. This fragmentation 
captured the fractured and chaotic experiences of characters, mirroring the 
disorienting effects of modern life. Through disjointed narratives, American 
modernist writers conveyed the fragmented nature of reality and the subjective 
nature of truth. 
Examples of disillusionment and fragmented narratives in American modernist 
literature can be seen in the works of iconic authors such as T.S. Eliot, F. Scott 
Fitzgerald, and William Faulkner.
In T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land," disillusionment is evident in the fragmented 
structure, as the poem weaves together different voices, cultural references, and 
historical allusions to reflect a fragmented post-war society. Similarly, F. Scott 
Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" explores disillusionment through the character of 
Jay Gatsby, who strives for the American Dream but ultimately faces the emptiness 

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and moral bankruptcy of the Jazz Age. The novel's narrative structure, weaving in 
and out of past and present, reflects the fragmented nature of Gatsby's identity and 
desires. 
William Faulkner's "The Sound and the Fury" exemplifies fragmented 
narratives through its multiple perspectives and stream-of-consciousness 
techniques. The novel presents the Compson family's decline and disintegration, 
with each section narrated by a different character, reflecting their fragmented 
perspectives and fractured realities. 
Disillusionment and fragmented narratives are central to American modernist 
literature, as writers sought to represent the disorientation, instability, and loss of 
faith brought about by the sociopolitical climate. By adopting these features, 
American modernist writers captured the complexities and contradictions of their 
time, challenging conventional literary forms and portraying the fragmented nature 
of modern existence. 
Specific authors and works that exemplify this theme. 
1. T.S. Eliot: 
- "The Waste Land" (1922): This landmark poem reflects the disillusionment 
and fragmentation in post-World War I society. Eliot employs a range of 
fragmented narratives, cultural allusions, and multiple voices to portray a decaying 
and fragmented world. 
2. F. Scott Fitzgerald: 
- "The Great Gatsby" (1925): Fitzgerald explores the disillusionment of the 
American Dream in the Jazz Age. Through the fragmented narrative told by Nick 
Carraway, the reader witnesses the destructive pursuit of wealth, the hollowness of 
high society, and the tragic demise of Jay Gatsby. 
3. William Faulkner: 
- "The Sound and the Fury" (1929): Faulkner utilizes fragmented narratives and 
different narrative voices to depict the decline of the Compson family in the post-
Civil War South. The novel presents the fragmented perspectives of the Compson 
brothers and their sister, exploring their subjective experiences, loss of identity, and 
societal decay. 
4. Ernest Hemingway: 

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- "The Old Man and the Sea" (1952): While not strictly categorized as a 
modernist work, Hemingway's novella delves into themes of disillusionment and 
the fragmented human condition. Through the story of Santiago, the aging 
fisherman, Hemingway examines themes of solitude, endurance, and the struggle 
against the relentless forces of nature. 
5. Gertrude Stein: 
- "The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas" (1933): Stein's experimental work 
portrays the fragmented reality of modernist Paris through the eyes of her partner, 
Alice B. Toklas. The narrative is fragmented and dense, showcasing Stein's stream-
of-consciousness writing style and challenging traditional notions of autobiography. 
These are just a few examples of prominent authors and works within American 
modernist literature that exemplify the theme of disillusionment and fragmented 
narratives. Each of these writers, through their unique styles and techniques, 
captured the disarray and disillusionment of the modern world and the fractured 
nature of their characters' lives.