Modernism was a major milestone for women writers; women were finding their voices and had an outlet for them to be heard. Modernism was a style of writing that was new at the time; it dealt more with the ideas of search for something and upholding what rules were already in place. Shortly after the end of the Second World War something changed though, maybe it was the devastation of the war, or just the fact that people in America needed a change. Women started to break free from the modern style of writing into what is now known as postmodernism. In postmodernism most of the guidelines that were in place from the past were broken, the lines between genres started to fade, and writers were starting to leave their writing more open so the reader could participate. Postmodernism is in fact an evolution of modernism. However the two are set apart in the vast differences they both illustrate.
When modernism first developed in this country people were striving to hold on to the values that they felt were not being upheld anymore. Gilbert and Guba wrote “..large social changes were largely disguised by smug and apparently secure continuations of traditional modes and manners.” (Page 1206) However along with these values being upheld the image of women seemed to become more negative “..much literature of the period is notable for its obsession with what women should-and should not-be.” (Page 1217) Writers and artists thought that by dedicating their work to this concept they could apply more meaning to these values. To me it seems like modernism came in a time when people wanted order, not just in their literature or art but in their lives.
When postmodernism started to appear people started to turn away from this concept that writing and art could make unity, and started to play with different ideas and just explore within. A big difference between modernism and postmodernism is the way women were viewed. Women achieved the right to vote after the war and...