The Waves

The Perception of Time in Virginia Woolf’s The Waves College

Modernist Literature, having its roots in the industrial revolution, is an influential and artistic movement that emerged from the accumulation of other movements and works their artists produced. “In prose, Modernism is associated with attempts to render human subjectivity in ways more real than realism: to represent consciousness, perception, emotion, meaning and the individual’s relation to society through interior monologue, stream of consciousness, tunneling, defamiliarization, rhythm, irresolution” (Childs 3). Although along with many literary movements, its emergence date is not exactly known, “Modernism signifies the gamut of experimental literary and artistic form emerging in the period between the 1890s and 1930s as a response to the experience of modern urban life” (Poplawski 392). It is a heterogeneous movement of individualism and experimentation in the shade of the search for the new methods and forms. “The elements of religious skepticism, deep introspection, technical and formal experimentation, cerebral game-playing, linguistic innovation, self referral, misanthropic despair overlaid with humor, philosophical speculation, loss of faith and cultural exhaustion all exemplify the preoccupations of Modernist...

Join Now to View Premium Content

GradeSaver provides access to 2355 study guide PDFs and quizzes, 11005 literature essays, 2762 sample college application essays, 926 lesson plans, and ad-free surfing in this premium content, “Members Only” section of the site! Membership includes a 10% discount on all editing orders.

Join Now

Already a member? Log in