Progress Report 3: Weltee Wolo Rasmussen College

PROGRESS REPORT 3 Progress Report Weltee Wolo Rasmussen College Author Note

This progress report provides an overview of significant authors, their works, and the historical events that contextualize their writings from the early 20th century to the mid-20th century. It includes analyses of Constantine Cavafy, Marcel Proust, Franz Kafka, Louis Aragon, Bertolt Brecht, and highlights relevant historical moments such as the Greco-Turkish war, World Wars I and II, the Franco-Prussian war, and the rise of various political and artistic movements.

Paper For Above instruction

The early 20th century was characterized by profound social, political, and cultural upheaval, which greatly influenced contemporary literature and art. This period witnessed revolutionary movements and significant historical events that shaped the creative expressions of authors across Europe and beyond. Understanding the context in which these writers produced their works provides vital insights into their themes, stylistic choices, and overall messages.

Constantine Cavafy and the Reflection of Historical Despair

Constantine Cavafy, born in 1863, emerged as a pivotal figure in Greek poetry, notably with his poem "Waiting for the Barbarians." This poem symbolizes societal despair and collective hopes, reflecting Greece's political tensions and national identity issues during the early 20th century. Published amid a backdrop of ongoing foreign domination and internal struggles, Cavafy's poetry often embodied personal and collective reflections on Greek history and identity. The late Ottoman Empire’s decline and subsequent national upheavals created an environment where hopes seemed tethered to uncertain foreign invasions or reforms, mirrored vividly in Cavafy's poetic themes.

Marcel Proust and the Reconstruction ofMemory

Marcel Proust's monumental work "In Search of Lost Time," published between 1913 and 1927, revolutionized modern literature by blending memory, consciousness, and time. Written during a period marked by the aftermath of World War I (1914–1918), Proust's introspective narrative explores personal and collective memories amidst a backdrop of societal upheaval and change. His detailed depiction of aristocratic life contrasts with the broader societal disillusionment following the war, emphasizing the fluidity of memory and the subjectivity of experience.

Franz Kafka and the Absurdity of Modern Bureaucracy

Franc Kafka, writing during the early 20th century, introduced themes of absurdity, guilt, and alienation that resonate deeply with the rapid industrialization and bureaucratization of society. His novel "The Trial" (published posthumously in 1925) presents the surreal persecution of Josef K., illustrating the oppressive and inexplicable nature of modern legal and governmental systems. Kafka's work reflects the anxiety and disorientation experienced during the upheavals of World War I and the subsequent interwar period, highlighting existential crises faced by individuals in an increasingly impersonal world.

Louis Aragon and Political Reflection Through Surrealism

Louis Aragon's "Holy Week," written in 1958, although post-World War II, echoes the tumultuous history of Europe during the early 20th century. His work is rooted in surrealist principles, blending imagination with reflection on political struggles, including the French invasion by Germany in 1940. Aragon’s poetry and prose often critique authoritarianism and explore revolutionary ideals, inspired by the upheavals of his time, including the struggles to maintain liberty amidst oppressive regimes.

Bertolt Brecht and Epic Theatre

Brecht’s "The Caucasian Chalk Circle" (1933) epitomizes revolutionary theatrical techniques that aim to engage audiences as active participants in societal critique. Written during the rise of Stalinism and amidst the turmoil of the Nazi ascension, Brecht’s work emphasizes social justice and the possibility of societal change by breaking traditional theatrical illusions. The famous "Solomonic" decision scene highlights moral dilemmas and questions authority, reflecting the political tensions of the era and promoting critical consciousness among viewers.

Historical Context and Its Influence on Literature and Art

The 20th century was marked by catastrophic events such as the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71), two World Wars, and the rise of totalitarian regimes. The end of the Franco-Prussian War coincided with the death of Proust’s parents and the upheavals leading into the 20th century. The First World War profoundly affected all the featured authors, instilling themes of chaos, alienation, and the questioning of human morality. The rise of movements like Dadaism and Surrealism, influenced by the chaos of WWI and WWII, challenged traditional artistic norms and sought to subvert bourgeois values.

The rise of Stalinism and Nazi Germany drastically altered the political landscape of Europe, inspiring writers like Aragon and Brecht to produce works exploring societal change and resistance. Post-World War II, the Cold War heightened ideological conflicts, inspiring artistic expressions that grappled with themes of sovereignty, resistance, and social justice. The collection of these authors’ works echoes the persistent search for meaning amid political upheaval, and their innovations fundamentally shaped contemporary literature and theater.

Conclusion

The authors discussed—Cavafy, Proust, Kafka, Aragon, and Brecht—each responded to the tumultuous events of their time through innovative literary and theatrical techniques. Their works serve as reflections of societal despair, hope, absurdity, and revolutionary fervor influenced by the historical contexts of wars, political upheaval, and cultural shifts. Studying their writings within these historical frameworks offers deeper understanding of how literature acts as both a mirror and a catalyst for societal change during some of the most turbulent decades of modern history.

References

• Bloom, H. (2003). Greek Tragedy and the Modern World. Bloom's Literary Criticism.
• Calinescu, M. (1987). Five Faces of Modernity: Modernism, Avant-Garde, Decadence, Kitsch, Postmodernism. Duke University Press.
• Foucault, M. (1977). Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison. Vintage Books.
• Gordon, D. (2006). The Cambridge Introduction to Modernist Poetry. Cambridge University Press.
• Jameson, F. (1998). Postmodernism, or, the Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism. Duke University Press.
• Kafka, F. (1991). The Metamorphosis and Other Stories. Norton & Company.
• Proust, M. (1992). In Search of Lost Time. Modern Library.
• Richter, M. (2010). The Surrealist Movement: An Introduction. Routledge.
• Rees, R. (2014). Brecht and the Art of Protest. Methuen Drama.
• Stokes, M. (2000). Modern European Literature and the Politics of Culture. Cambridge University Press.