THE CONCEPT OF MODERNISM IN LITERATURE

Abstract

Modernism in literature emerged as one of the most influential literary movements of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It developed as a reaction against traditional literary forms, social conventions, and the dramatic transformations caused by industrialization, technological progress, urbanization, and global conflicts. This article examines the concept of Modernism in literature, its defining characteristics, major themes, and its impact on literary expression. Using the IMRAD structure, the study analyzes how modernist writers challenged conventional narrative techniques and introduced innovative approaches to language, character development, and symbolism. The article also explores the works of significant modernist authors such as James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, T. S. Eliot, and Franz Kafka. The findings demonstrate that Modernism transformed literature into a more experimental, psychological, and fragmented form of artistic expression. Furthermore, the movement reflected the uncertainty and complexity of modern human existence. The study contributes to the field of foreign languages and literature by highlighting the cultural and philosophical significance of Modernism and its lasting influence on contemporary literary studies.