Modernism: Kincaid’s Girl vs. Pound’s in a Station of the Metro

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Modernism in “Girl”
“In a Station of the Metro”: Elements of Modernism
More Modernist Artwork
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

Modernism has many definitions, one of them was given by Irving Howe, an American literary critic and politician, in his article “The Culture of Modernism”. The author emphasizes that in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a special kind of literature began to appear (Howe). Howe calls one of the distinguishing features of modernist literature its complexity and the depth of the author’s thought, presenting the challenge to the reader (Howe). Howe believes that modernism can manifest itself in a rebellion against an established style, old traditions. “Modernism does not establish a prevalent style of its own; or if it does, it denies itself, thereby ceasing to be modern” (Howe). Modernism is constantly looking for a way out, finding new forms, denying the previous and playing with the mind of the reader. According to Howe’s definition, Kincaid’s “Girl” is a more traditional epitome of modernism in literature than Pound’s “In a Station of the Metro”.

Modernism in “Girl”

Kincaid’s “Girl” is definitely a modernist story, as the author experiments with form and seeks new means of expression. The first sign that allows the readers to call this work modernist is its depth and seriousness, the importance of which Howe emphasizes. This story illustrates the difficulties of growing up and the relationship between children and parents. “Girl” is a synthesis of two genres, poetry and prose, which makes the story an attempt to find a new form of expression. The story is constructed in an unconventional way, which makes it modernist. For example, it contains a sentence of over 600 words, which breaks the canon of previous literature (Kincaid 46). Playing with form, with incredibly deep content, Kincaid creates one of the standard works of contemporary literature.

“In a Station of the Metro”: Elements of Modernism

In this incredibly short poem, Ezra Pound has demonstrated excellent mastery of the imagism technique, which is certainly part of the modernist trend. This is an attempt to penetrate a different culture, since the poem is based on Japanese haiku, and a trial to bring new means to the art. “The apparition of these faces in the crowd; Petals on a wet, black bough” is a complete picture, seen by the author and delivered in an incredibly compressed form (Pound 1). Pauses are an integral element of this poem, filling in the missing lines. The sound link between the first and the second lines is the assonance of internal vowels at the ends. Sound painting enhances the impression of noise, bustle and instantaneous fixation of the view on the external elements of the subway environment.

More Modernist Artwork

It is difficult to say which of the two works is more or less modernist, since they both share the traditional features of this movement. Despite the fact that imagism is one of the offshoots of modernism, Pound’s play with form and challenge to the reader goes beyond modernism and can be considered inherent in the postmodern movement. “Girl” is more traditional in this regard, as it reveals both a deep subtext and an important modern theme, while playing with the traditional literary form. Such work, in which the author has not yet completely destroyed the established norms, but at the same time goes far beyond the limits, is the standard of modernism.

Conclusion

Both works can be considered modernist, at least in terms of the time of creation. However, Pound’s literary experiment goes beyond this trend and can be seen as a forerunner of postmodernity. “Girl” is a more traditional work in the context of modernist literature, as it continues to maintain some boundaries, seeking novelty. “Girl” is a good example of what Howe described as a search for new means of expression in literature.

Works Cited

Ezra Pound. In a Station of the Metro. Poetry: A magazine of verse, 1913.

Howe, Irving. The Culture of Modernism. Commentary Magazine. 1967. Web.

Kincaid, Jamaica. “Girl.” Backpack Literature, 4th Edition, edited by X.J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia, Pearson, 2013, pp. 46-48.

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Modernism: Kincaid’s Girl vs. Pound’s in a Station of the Metro

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