1. Critique of Industrialization: The mass production and standardization that came with industrialization were critiqued by modernism as a dehumanizing force that undermined individual creativity and expression.
2. Questioning of Truth and Objectivity: Modernists believed that traditional notions of truth and objectivity were unreliable in a world of rapid changes. They favored subjectivity, multiple perspectives, and the exploration of personal experiences.
3. Fragmentation and Loss: Modernism often reflected the fragmentation and disorientation felt by individuals living in a world with seemingly random events and shifting values. Fragmentary forms, stream-of-consciousness narrative techniques, and the exploration of mental states were common in modernist literature.
4. Rejection of Tradition: Modernists sought to break from traditional forms, styles, and subjects. This led to experimentation, innovation, and a rejection of what was considered outdated.
5. Exploration of the Unconscious: Modernist literature and art explored the psychological dimension, using dream symbolism, archetypal imagery, and internal monologues to depict characters' inner lives. This was a critique of the emphasis on rational thought and materialism in Western society.
6. Urban Experience: Modernism captured the alienation and fragmentation of the modern urban landscape. It explored the impact of the city's pace, anonymity, and loss of community on the individual's psyche.
7. Anti-War Sentiment: Many modernists were influenced by the horrors of World War I and expressed a strong anti-war sentiment. They saw war as a symbol of the destructive forces that had shattered the foundations of society.
Modernism, in essence, served as a critique of Western society's dominant beliefs and values, pushing boundaries and questioning long-held assumptions. Its impact on cultural and intellectual thought continues to shape contemporary art, literature, and哲学 today.