Preface to modernism

A landmark book, Preface to Modernism affords readers an encompassing view of modernism, a look at the forest and not just the trees. "I am attempting neither a history of modernist art and literature nor a 'reading' of certain visual and literary works," explains Art Berman. "Rather, I introduce a collection of associated hypotheses about where modernism has come from, where it fits into the scheme of things, and what it means." Berman traces the conceptual lineage of modernism, examining its evolution in Western art and literature through empiricism, idealism, and romanticism. Using modernist literary and visual movements as examples, Berman demonstrates how modern social, political, and scientific developments -- including capitalism, socialism, humanism, psychoanalysis, fascism, and modernism itself -- have altered attitudes toward time, space, self, creativity, the natural world, and community. - Back cover.