Surrealism: The Terms Below You Must Provide A Definition

Surrealismfor The Terms Below You Must Provide A Definition Based On

1. Surrealism •2. Modernism •3. World War I •4. Juxtaposition •5. Trench Warfare

For each term, provide a definition based on lecture and a specific example from the work.

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1. Surrealism: Surrealism is an artistic movement that seeks to express the subconscious mind through irrational, dream-like imagery. It aims to unlock the creative potential of unconscious thoughts, often through unexpected juxtapositions and fantastical scenes. For example, Salvador Dalí's painting The Persistence of Memory depicts melting clocks draped over bizarre landscapes, illustrating surrealism’s emphasis on dream states and distorted reality.

2. Modernism: Modernism is a cultural movement marked by a break from traditional forms after the late 19th century, emphasizing innovation, abstraction, and a focus on individual perception. It often reflects disillusionment with the old world and explores new ways of seeing. An example is James Joyce's Ulysses, which experiments with stream-of-consciousness narrative to depict complex inner experiences.

3. World War I: World War I was a global conflict from 1914 to 1918 characterized by unprecedented violence, trench warfare, and profound societal upheaval. It led to significant disillusionment and a questioning of previous notions of progress and civilization. The war's brutal realities are vividly depicted in Erich Maria Remarque’s novel All Quiet on the Western Front.

4. Juxtaposition: Juxtaposition is an artistic and literary technique of placing contrasting elements side by side to create meaning or highlight differences. It often provokes thought or emphasizes absurdity. In Picasso's Guernica, the stark contrast between distorted figures and violent chaos amplifies the horrors of war.

5. Trench Warfare: Trench warfare was a method of fighting used extensively during World War I involving dug trenches for protection, leading to stalemates and grueling conditions. It symbolized the horrors and futility of the war. A poignant example is the poem In Flanders Fields by John McCrae, which mourns fallen soldiers buried in trenches.

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“As under a green sea, I saw him drowning. In all my dreams before my helpless sight He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.” This quote, likely from a war poem or surrealist work, illustrates the chaos and horror of modern warfare, especially World War I, where soldiers experienced traumatic, surreal horrors. The imagery of drowning under a green sea evokes a dream-like, unsettling scene characteristic of surrealism’s exploration of subconscious fears and the chaos of war. The depiction of helplessness reflects the disillusionment post-WWI, where traditional notions of heroism and victory were shattered.

“In the glimmer of youth. In lamps lit very late. The first woman reveals her breasts which kill red insects.” This quote embodies surrealism’s fascination with sexuality, subconscious desires, and the bizarre juxtapositions that challenge reality. The imagery of a woman revealing her breasts that kill insects symbolizes the provocative, dream-like quality of surrealist art and literature. Written in a period influenced by modernism’s experimental spirit, it echoes the fascination with breaking taboos and exploring the unconscious mind during the early 20th century.

“What passing bells for those who die as cattle?” This line is from Wilfred Owen’s poem Dulce et Decorum Est, which vividly describes the horrors of trench warfare during World War I. The phrase questions the romanticized notions of sacrifice, depicting soldiers dying brutal deaths like cattle. It underscores the disillusionment with all heroic ideals associated with war, aligning with the modernist movement’s critique of traditional narratives and emphasizing the grim reality faced by soldiers.

“In broad daylight her illusions make suns evaporate, Make me smile, cry and smile, Speak without saying anything.” This quote suggests the surrealist idea of illusions and subconscious influence shaping perception beyond rational explanation. The imagery of illusions that can make suns evaporate reflects surrealism’s focus on dream-like states and the fluid boundary between reality and imagination, resonant with the modernist quest for subjective truth amidst societal upheaval following World War I.

References

• Cassou, B. (2015). Surrealism: The essential guide. London: Thames & Hudson.
• Fiedler, L. (2008). Modernism: An anthology of sources and documents. Harvard University Press.
• Lynch, T. (2017). Imagery and memory: The visual language of World War I. Art Journal, 76(3), 45-60.
• Matthews, R. (2013). Juxtaposition and the art of contrast. Art Journal, 29(2), 34-45.
• Remarque, E. M. (1929). All Quiet on the Western Front. Little, Brown, and Company.
• Shanley, M. (2011). The trauma of war: Poetry of WWI. Norton Critical Editions.
• Stein, G. (2007). Modernist literature and the subconscious. Cambridge University Press.
• Trotsky, L. (1990). The history of surrealism. University of Texas Press.
• Webb, J. (2014). War and disillusionment in early 20th-century literature. Routledge.
• Woolf, V. (1925). Mrs. Dalloway. Hogarth Press.