POSTMODERN
LITERARY THEORY
1946-PRESENT
DEFINITION
Postmodernism- Holds that all worldviews are
constructed by historical documents, by
culture and religion; postmodernism sees
those worldviews as a function of power rather
than truth.
-Encompasses theories of art, literature, culture,
architecture, etc.
POSTMODERNISM CHARACTERISTICS/CULTURE
Reflect a sense of discontinuity (lack of stability) in
the world
Rethinks margins and borders
A mistrust of the media as a presenter of “facts”
The world is absurd; no values/truths are
eternal-everything is momentary
“Life just is”
POSTMODERNISM CHARACTERISTICS
Belief that there is no Grand Design
Reality is only as it is presented to usThere is no objective truth or reality
Erodes distinction between classes & people
Create your own values—no right, wrong, sin, etc.No right or wrong lifestyle
Biblical Truth irrelevant– okay to dismiss whatever
doesn’t feel compatible with personal journey
POSTMODERN LITERATURE
Mixing of fantasy w/ nonfiction
No heroes
Concern with the individual in isolation
Detached, unemotional
Usually humorless
Narratives
ARE YOU POST MODERN?
You know more about "Gilligan's Island" than
Einstein's theory of relativity.
For the Postmodern, meaning is found in the
messages seen in popular culture rather than
through scientific inquiry.
ARE YOU POST MODERN?
You believe that values are "whatever works for
you."
The Postmodern sees rules as being good for the
rule giver, but not for the one who has to follow
the rules. Each person, in the Postmodern
view, has the right to create his or her own
value system.
ARE YOU POST MODERN?
You'd rather have ten options than one when
purchasing a product (such as a TV, car, or
dishwasher).
The epitome of the Modern Era was the Model-T
Ford. Everyone could be happy with the same
model. The Postmodern wants options. Choice
and personalization are everything.
ARE YOU POST MODERN?
You think that African history, Asian history, and
Native American history are as important as
Western European/American history.
The Postmodern is multicultural. All the wisdom and
knowledge of the world, gleaned from all cultures,
places, and times, is available to the curious
mind. No one culture is superior to another. Each
has contributed to the development of the human
race.
ARE YOU POST MODERN?
You have to experience it before you believe
something is true.
The Postmodern sees the discovery of emotions
and human experience as being paramount.
Postmoderns must experience something in
the soul before they believe it.
ARE YOU POST MODERN?
You are plugged in to electronic media (radio, TV, DVD,
ipod, computer) 75 percent of the time you are awake.
The Postmodern is connected to the world through a
wide variety of electronic communication devices in a
way never seen before in history. A constant stream of
information, both positive and negative, keeps the
Postmodern plugged in to the beat of humanity. The
Modern Era had the radio and then the TV; the
Postmodern added everything from personal
computers to fax machines to the eighteen-inch
satellite dish.
ARE YOU POST MODERN?
You have surfed the Net.
The Internet is the ultimate Postmodern tool. It
enables a person to send electronic mail in the
flash of a second to any place in the world. With a
few points and clicks, you can access the latest
articles from Time magazine, see the latest
displays from the Smithsonian Museum, or
download the newest electronic pinup of Lois
Lane from Lois and Clark. A world of information is
at a person's fingertips.
ARE YOU POST MODERN?
You are more interested in spirituality than in
religion.
The Postmodern has no desire to be churched, to be
boxed in by one set of rules or rituals. He or she
does not want life to be set in stone. Spirituality,
for Postmoderns, is tied to deeply held beliefs that
give meaning to life lived in the midst of adversity.
God is not to be pursued like a commodity. God is
the one who gives depth and meaning to life.
ARE YOU POST MODERN?
You can watch TV, listen to the radio, and read —
all at the same time.
The Modern person can process only one stream
of information at a time. Postmoderns can
process many different streams of information
at the same time, enabling them to make
unexpected connections.