Masterpieces of British Modernism (Greenwood Introduces Literary Masterpieces)

Flourishing during the first two decades of the 20th century, British Modernism gave birth to some of the world's most influential literary works. These texts are widely studied in schools and continue to appeal to popular audiences. Written expressly for school students and general readers, this book succinctly yet thoughtfully overviews seven masterpieces of British Modernism and places them within the Modernist movement. The book helps students use literature to understand the many social changes taking place at that time, and it fosters a greater understanding of literature by explaining the cultural, aesthetic, and historical backgrounds of these works. Included are chapters on: Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness"; E.M. Forster's "Howards End"; James Joyce's "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man"; D.H. Lawrence's "Women in Love"; T.S. Eliot's "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" and "The Wasteland"; and, Virginia Woolf's "Mrs. Dalloway". Each chapter provides biographical information; a plot summary; an analysis of themes, style, symbols, and characters; and a discussion of the work's historical and cultural contexts. An introductory essay surveys and defines Modernism, and a bibliography cites works for further reading.