With reference to the second half of the 20th century, Josh Rahn indicates that:
By mid-century, indeed by the Second World War, was a strong reaction against the pretentions of the Moderns. Artists of this newer generation pursued a more democratic, pluralistic mode for poetry and the novel. There was optimism for the first time in a long time. Commercialism, publicity, and the popular audience were finally embraced, not shunned. Alienation became boring.
Using the information above, explain how one work from the assigned Week 5 reading list illustrates
1) a reaction against the pretentions of the Moderns, or
2) a newfound optimism. To inform your response, use any of the information presented in the lectures for Weeks 3 and 4, but do not use other secondary sources.
Week 5 literary readings include your choice of at least two of the following from your digital textbook:
Flannery O'Connor, "Good Country People"
Philip Roth, "The Conversion of the Jews"
Kurt Vonnegut, "Harrison Bergeron"
Toni Morrison, excerpt from Sula
Raymond Carver, "Cathedral"
Sandra Cisneros, "Woman Hollering Creek"
Don DeLillo, "The Angel Esmeralda"
Week 3 Readings
Walt Whitman, Song of Myself
Stephen Crane, "The Open Boat"
Stephen Crane, Maggie: A Girl of the Streets
Stephen Crane, "Do Not Weep, Maiden, for War Is Kind"
Kate Chopin, The Awakening
Edith Wharton, "The Other Two"
Jack London, "TO Build a Fire"
Your response should be written in 3rd person, consist of at least 400 words, and comport with MLA style and format. Remember to quote and properly cite material from each reading to validate your claims.
To set up your response, please:
Devote one paragraph of at least 300 words to one reading. In this paragraph indicate the issue you are discussing and how the postmodernists react to the pretentions of the Moderns, depict an optimistic attitude, use satire or pastiche, or try to establish an authentic voice.
Devote one paragraph of at least 100 words to a definitive conclusion or finding.
Provide textual examples to support your contentions.