Gertrude Stein, 1935 American writer Gertrude Stein was a self-styled genius who coined the term Lost Generation for a younger coterie of her fellow Modernist writers. (more) Modernist literature Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Modernist-literature Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Written by William C. Atkinson Professor of Hispanic Studies, University of Glasgow, 1932–72; Director, Institute of Latin-American Studies, 1966–72. Author of A History of Spain and Portugal; translator of Camões' The Lusiads. William C. Atkinson, Jennifer Birkett Professor of French Studies, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, England. Coauthor of A Guide to French Literature and coeditor of Samuel Beckett. Jennifer Birkett•All Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Mar 10, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What are the characteristics of Modernist literature? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Modernist literature often reflects the disillusionment and fragmentation felt by many artists and writers after World War I. It features radical technical experiments, such as stream of consciousness and fragmented narratives, requiring active reader interpretation." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What role did little magazines play in Modernism? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Little magazines were avant-garde, noncommercial periodicals devoted to serious literary writings. They played a crucial role in publishing fresh and original work, such as that of Ernest Hemingway, T.S. Eliot, and James Joyce." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What was the Harlem Renaissance? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The Harlem Renaissance was a flowering of African American culture from about 1918 to 1937, producing influential literary, musical, and artistic works. It was centered in Harlem, New York City, and had a global impact." } } ] } Top Questions What are the characteristics of Modernist literature? Modernist literature often reflects the disillusionment and fragmentation felt by many artists and writers after World War I. It features radical technical experiments, such as stream of consciousness and fragmented narratives, requiring active reader interpretation.

　　What role did little magazines play in Modernism? Little magazines were avant-garde, noncommercial periodicals devoted to serious literary writings. They played a crucial role in publishing fresh and original work, such as that of Ernest Hemingway, T.S. Eliot, and James Joyce.

　　What was the Harlem Renaissance? The Harlem Renaissance was a flowering of African American culture from about 1918 to 1937, producing influential literary, musical, and artistic works. It was centered in Harlem, New York City, and had a global impact.

　　Modernist literature, the body of written works produced during Modernism, a period of experimentation in the arts from the late 19th to the mid-20th century, particularly in the years following World War I (1914–18). Modernist literature developed throughout Europe, the United States, and Latin America. This article discusses the principal characteristics of Modernist literature as well as some leading Modernist writers and developments within the larger movement. For further discussion about the movement itself, including Modernist visual art, music, dance, and architecture, see Modernism. Modernism was a break with the past and the concurrent search for new forms of expression. ...(100 of 7505 words)

　　Access the full article Help support true facts by becoming a member. Subscribe today!