"On or about December 1910, the world changed."--Virginia Woolf

Overview: You'll review the history of the novel and consider the historical and social forces that led to the modernist movement in the early 20th century. You'll also become familiar with the tools you'll need to become an engaged reader, including the guidelines for keeping a reading journal. 

Step 1: Review the history of the novel.

Begin by reading this introduction to the novel. Then review the history of the novel by scanning this timeline. Here’s another timeline you can skim. If you want a “timeline” that’s a bit more filled out, you can move screen by screen through this history of the novel from Bibliomania.  

You’ll find it particularly helpful to refresh your understanding of the realist novel—since realism was the movement that immediately preceded modernism. Take a look at this overview of realism (you can skip down to the “characteristics” section and skim it). Then dig a bit deeper by reading some notes on realism. Finally, in realism and the realist novel, learn why people were—and still are—drawn to realism and consider some of the limitations of the realist form. 

Step 2: Learn about modernism, a revolutionary movement in art, literature, music, science, and psychology.

Begin by considering the move toward modernism and the historical events that led to modernism. Read just the first three paragraphs of this quick overview of modernism, and learn about the cultural forces driving modernism.

Modernist experimentation can be easily seen in the visual arts of this period. As Virginia Woolf emphasized in her famous quote, the 1910 post-impressionist exhibit at London’s Grafton Gallery opened an entirely new way of seeing the world. In 1914, the International Exhibition of Modern Art (Armory Show) in New York sent more shockwaves throughout the artistic world. The specific artistic movements involved in modernism were: expressionism; fauvism; cubism; and dadaism. (Just explore these art movements: you don’t need to understand them in any kind of detail—so don’t obsess!)

Step 3: Learn about the impact modernism had on the novel.

Begin by learning about modernism and the modern novel. And when all of the above items make sense and you’re ready to go a bit deeper, explore attributes of modernist literature.