Jonathan Veitch asserts in the preface of his book American Superrealism that critics have had problems in placing Nathanael West within the literature of the 1930s and American literature in general. They understood him for example as "a poet of darkness", as "an apocalyptic writer", as "a homegrown surrealist", as "a writer of the left" , as a "universal satirist" , in a way as "the prototype of the contemporary Jewish-American novelist" (Wisker 1-2) or as a realistic writer (Martin, see Roberts). Although some of these characterizations are contradictory, they all fit because they reflect different facets of the author, or rather his work. West combined all these elements and probably even several others in his writings. His "style was never constant. At times his pictorial technique closely resembles collage [but also] cartoon strips, movies, and several different schools of painting, as well as such non-graphic visual arts as the tableau and the dance." (Reid 9)
Taking the (though not planned) final result of his development as a writer, his last book The Day of the Locust (1939) as an example, I want to show in my essay that at least one of West's books does not "fall between the different schools of writing" (Wisker 2), as he once noted. He is certainly a representative of modernism, the "literary movement" and "point of view" of his time (see O'Conner) not only because a "struggle for definition is part of what those years are about" (Wisker 121). Nathanael West was influenced by the same historical events and used many of the strategies other contemporary writers employed to express his way of seeing the world. I will point out the features of modernism in the novel because, as Randall Reid states,
"[i]n a century which has made experimental writing almost an absolute value, he is one of the more interesting innovators. […]"
First of all, it will be useful to look at the historical background to understand modernism before defining it with emphasis on decadence as a special characteristic. In the next part of my essay, I am going to show how modernism, that is surrealism, Dada and the typical modernist themes, is reflected in the novel. Finally, I will summarize the resulting main points in the conclusion.
Table of Contents
- I. Introduction
- 1. Modern Society and Popular Culture
- 2. Modernism
- 2.1. Philosophical Background
- 2.2. Characteristics
- 2.3. Decadence
- II. Modernism in The Day of the Locust
- 1. Surrealism and Dada
- 1.1. The Use of Readymades and Clichés
- 1.2. Flow of Narrative
- 1.3. Surreal(istic) Imagery
- 1.4. Human Machines
- 1.5. Humor
- 2. Modernist Themes
- 2.1. Alienation
- 2.2. Violence and Decadence
- III. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay aims to demonstrate that Nathanael West's The Day of the Locust, despite its unique style, is a representative work of modernism. It analyzes the novel's incorporation of modernist techniques and themes, contextualizing them within the socio-political climate of the 1930s. The analysis focuses on how West's work reflects and responds to the period's anxieties and cultural shifts.
- Modernism's stylistic techniques in literature
- The impact of the Great Depression on American society and culture
- The portrayal of alienation, violence, and decadence in West's novel
- Surrealism and Dada influences in The Day of the Locust
- West's unique integration of various artistic styles in his writing
Chapter Summaries
I. Introduction: This introductory section establishes the essay's central argument: that Nathanael West's The Day of the Locust is a significant example of modernist literature. It addresses the critical challenges in categorizing West's work, highlighting the diverse interpretations offered by various critics. The introduction contextualizes West's writing within the historical and literary landscape of the 1930s, emphasizing the influence of the Great Depression and the prevalent modernist movement. It outlines the essay's structure, previewing the analysis of modernism's stylistic and thematic elements within the novel.
1. Modern Society and Popular Culture: This chapter explores the socio-political backdrop of the 1930s, focusing on the devastating effects of the Great Depression. It details the economic crisis, widespread unemployment, and the resulting social anxieties and divisions. The chapter examines the rise of escapist forms of popular culture, such as radio, advertising, and movies, as a response to the pervasive uncertainty and disillusionment. This analysis lays the groundwork for understanding how the societal turmoil of the era impacted literary expression and informed the themes explored in The Day of the Locust.
2. Modernism: This chapter defines modernism as a literary and artistic movement that reacted against the established order and traditional values of the 19th century. It discusses the movement's characteristic features, including its pessimistic outlook, rejection of traditional narrative structures, and experimentation with form and style. The chapter also specifically addresses decadence as a key aspect of modernism. This provides the critical framework for analyzing the modernist elements within West's novel, emphasizing the significance of understanding the broader context of the modernist movement in interpreting West's work.
Keywords
Modernism, Nathanael West, The Day of the Locust, Great Depression, Surrealism, Dada, Alienation, Violence, Decadence, Popular Culture, American Literature, Experimental Writing.
Frequently Asked Questions: Nathanael West's *The Day of the Locust* - A Modernist Analysis
What is the overall purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of an essay analyzing Nathanael West's *The Day of the Locust* through the lens of modernism. It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords, offering a structured overview of the essay's content and arguments.
What are the main themes explored in the essay?
The essay focuses on demonstrating that *The Day of the Locust* is a representative work of modernism. Key themes include the stylistic techniques of modernism in literature, the impact of the Great Depression on American society and culture, the portrayal of alienation, violence, and decadence in West's novel, the influences of Surrealism and Dada, and West's unique integration of artistic styles in his writing.
What is covered in the introduction?
The introduction establishes the central argument that *The Day of the Locust* is a significant modernist text. It addresses challenges in categorizing West's work, explores diverse critical interpretations, contextualizes West's writing within the historical and literary landscape of the 1930s, and outlines the essay's structure.
What does the essay discuss regarding modern society and popular culture in the 1930s?
This section explores the socio-political backdrop of the 1930s, focusing on the Great Depression's effects, economic crisis, unemployment, and resulting social anxieties. It examines the rise of escapist popular culture (radio, advertising, movies) as a response to uncertainty and disillusionment, linking this to literary expression and the themes in *The Day of the Locust*.
How does the essay define and discuss modernism?
The essay defines modernism as a literary and artistic movement reacting against 19th-century traditions. It details modernism's characteristic features, including pessimism, rejection of traditional narrative structures, experimentation with form and style, and decadence, providing a framework for analyzing these elements in West's novel.
What are the chapter summaries and what do they cover?
The chapter summaries provide concise overviews of each section of the essay. They detail the content and arguments presented in the introduction, the analysis of modern society and popular culture in the 1930s, and the detailed explanation of modernism as a literary movement. The summaries help readers understand the essay's progression and key arguments.
What keywords are associated with this analysis?
Keywords include: Modernism, Nathanael West, *The Day of the Locust*, Great Depression, Surrealism, Dada, Alienation, Violence, Decadence, Popular Culture, American Literature, and Experimental Writing.
What is the intended audience for this document?
This document is intended for academic use, supporting the analysis of themes in a structured and professional manner. It provides a helpful overview for researchers and students studying Nathanael West, modernism, and American literature of the 1930s.
Where can I find the full essay?
The full essay is not included in this preview document. This preview serves as a summary and guide to the essay's content.
- Citar trabajo
- Linda Schug (Autor), 2003, Modernism in "The Day of the Locust" (1939) by Nathanael West, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/47516
