When we talk about Modernism, we also talk about Modernity and Modernism, although we might find differences in each conception, sometimes people tend to confuse them. Starting with all these different terms to make reference to an only one, it is possible to state that Modernity is too related with complexity
As is well known, poetry in general is hard to understand easily because every poem is a situated action and its complexity is going to vary depending on the context of the author. But from my point of view in this particular stage of the literature, I find extremely difficult to link every stanza or verse to a certain "stage" of the poet or make an interpretation in relation with politics or even economy.
It is interesting to see the complexity of the poems connected with the modernism, since in many cases the main features of the modernity are not explicit and very clear at all and at the same time the use of structures and techniques makes us go deeper and deeper and even when we might have an idea about the connection of some parts of the poems with , for instance, the poet's life but sometimes the answer is totally different. When it comes to the modernist traits, it is possible to recognize that several poets as Elliot or D.H. Lawrence characterize their works by features as the indecision and emotional distance that readers can understand after a thorough process of interpretation. We could be analyzing poems for a long period of time, but we have to recognize that these interpretations would not be totally accurate and is needed extra- information and some guidance in our understanding process.
However, this complexity is fascinating and at the same time is frustrating, not only in terms of the content of the poems which are related to a constant feeling of "chaos" but also in the process of the interpretation of them. Complexity is a complex word.
Camila, I agree with most of what you have said.
ResponderEliminaresentially, modernist writers and poets wrote complex and difficult works of art to unsettle readers, to provoke, to make us reflect etc.
I would also like to add that other aspect that makes modernist works so complex to follow is the fact that there are multilple shifts of time within a poem, Alfred Prufrock is a good example.
I couldn't agree more with you, Camila. In my opinion, it can be very frustrating to understand the poems we have read during the semester, for example I still cannot understand T.S.Eliot. At the same time this complexity is what makes these poems beautiful. They are not just feelings and emotions, you need to study the poem and to go back in time in order to "understand" it. What is most important is to create your own meaning for each poem, of course, considering all the background behind it. That's the beauty of these poems.
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