The Modern Era. Alienation and Desperation in Ezra Pound's "In a Station of the Metro" and Edward Hopper's "Automat"

Term Paper , 2014 , 14 Pages , Grade: 2,0

English Language and Literature Studies - Literature

In the Modern period, the American lifestyle is growing and developing gradually. With the improvement of the railroad system, such as the use of steel rails instead of iron rails, everything in life is moving faster. Furthermore, America’s need for workers combined with cheaper train and steam ship tickets
have caused a new wave of mass immigration. Although life in America seems appealing, these positive aspects are overshadowed by hard times.
Especially after the two World Wars, which caused a lot of pain and death, the world is fragmented and the devastation and alienation of people, both outer an inner devastation, has started to take place. Furthermore, through industrialization
and mass production, human beings are in a continuous hurry and there is restlessness. Due to the fact that people always seem to be in a rush, life is chaotic and fragmented.

The alienation and desperation of the individual in the Modern era can be seen in Edward Hopper’s painting "Automat", which was published in 1927, and in the poem “In a Station of the Metro“ by Ezra Pound from 1916.
Therefore, this term paper will illustrate the characteristics of the Modern Era, especially in terms of literature, by analyzing and comparing the painting and the poem.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• A. Introduction: The Alienation and Desperation of the Individual in the Modern Era
• B. The Modern Era
• C. Automat by Edward Hopper
  • I. Content
  • II. Modern Features in Automat
• D. "In a Station of the Metro" by Ezra Pound
  • I. Ezra Pound's Key Ideas of Imagism
  • II. Modern Features in Ezra Pound's Poem
• E. Conclusion: Desperation and Alienation in the Modern Period
• F. Works Cited

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte

This term paper aims to analyze the characteristics of the Modern Era, particularly in literature, by examining Edward Hopper's painting "Automat" (1927) and Ezra Pound's poem "In a Station of the Metro" (1916). The paper will explore how these works reflect the alienation and desperation of the individual in the Modern period.

• The impact of historical events, such as the American Civil War, World Wars, and the Great Depression, on American culture and literature.
• The emergence of Modernism as a response to the changing world and its influence on artistic expression.
• The themes of alienation, isolation, and fragmentation in Modernist art and literature.
• The use of visual imagery and symbolism to convey complex emotions and ideas.
• The role of the individual in a rapidly changing and increasingly urbanized society.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel

The introduction provides a general overview of the Modern Era, highlighting the growing alienation and desperation of individuals in the face of rapid societal changes, industrialization, and the aftermath of World War I. The paper then delves into the historical context of the Modern Era, examining key events such as the American Civil War, urbanization, industrialization, and the impact of the World Wars and the Great Depression on American culture and literature.

Chapter C focuses on Edward Hopper's painting "Automat," analyzing its content and exploring its Modernist features. The chapter examines Hopper's personal life and artistic style, highlighting his preference for silence and simplification in his work. The analysis of "Automat" explores the painting's structure, elements, and its portrayal of the individual's relationship to the world in the Modern Era.

Chapter D examines Ezra Pound's poem "In a Station of the Metro," exploring his key ideas of Imagism and analyzing the poem's Modernist features. The chapter discusses Pound's innovative approach to poetry, his use of imagery, and his exploration of the themes of alienation and fragmentation in the Modern world.

Schlüsselwörter

The keywords and focus themes of the text include the Modern Era, alienation, desperation, individualism, American culture, literature, Edward Hopper, "Automat," Ezra Pound, "In a Station of the Metro," Imagism, visual imagery, symbolism, and the impact of historical events on artistic expression.

• College: University of Duisburg-Essen (Fakultät Anglistik)
• Course: American Literature
• Grade: 2,0
• Author: Tim Ballschmiede (Author)
• Publication Year: 2014
• Pages: 14
• Catalog Number: V288984
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656892458
• ISBN (Book): 9783656892465
• Language: English
• Tags: American, American Literature, Literature, Literatur, Edward Hopper, Ezra Pound, In a Station of the Metro, Automat, Painting, Comparison, Alienation, Desperation, World War, Modern Era