Modernism and Postmodernism

Abstract This paper presents a comparative analysis of Modernism and Postmodernism, two influential literary and philosophical movements of the 20th century. Modernism, emerging in the early 20th century, sought to create a new, rational, and ordered world through experimentation with form and technique. In contrast, Postmodernism, emerging in the mid-20th century, rejected the idea of a single, objective truth, embracing instead fragmentation, diversity, and provisionality. This paper examines the key features, themes, and literary styles of both movements, highlighting their differences and similarities. Through a critical analysis of representative texts, including James Joyce's Ulysses and Thomas Pynchon's Gravity's Rainbow, this paper demonstrates how Modernism and Postmodernism reflect and shape our understanding of the world and our place within it.