In discussing the difference between modernism and postmodernism I was reminded of a Simpson’s episode wherein Moe describes Postmodernism. Moe’s comment of postmodernism being “weird for the sake of weird” may not be too far off. For many the ideals of postmodernism, the notion that our entire culture is the product of social construction, can be unsettling. If everything is constructed by the culture around us, do we really have the capability to achieve something like the American Dream?
While researching postmodernism, I came across the novel, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1971), by Hunter S. Thompson. The novel’s journalistic and reflexive nature is a great example of a literary commentary on modernist thought. A quote that I find most fitting to our discussion on modernism is spoken by Raoul Duke, the character personifying Hunter S. Thompson which says:
“But our trip was different. It was to be a classic affirmation of everything right and true in the national character. A gross physical salute to the fantastic possibilities of life in this country. But only for those with true grit”.
If you have not had the opportunity to read this novel, I would definitely recommend that you skim through the first few chapters. If anything the film, featuring Johnny Depp, will be well worth your time. The vulgarity and realness of modernism which Thompson describes is without question continuing today. The war may be different and the circumstances more technologically-driven, but behind these actions is the belief that anything is possible. The problem with this belief is recognized by Gilroy in his writing on the Black Atlantic. Oftentimes that which is made possible for some, causes others to be subjected to less. The quest for the American Dream therefore excluded and continues to exclude many of the people living in America, including women and racial minorities.
The ideas presented by Bruno Latour in his book, We Have Never Been Modern (1993), can be used to critique the American Dream. Although first appearing in the 1930’s, the 'dream' that success and wealth can be attained through hard work is something most Western nations have adopted. I would agree with Latour that we have never been modern, just like we have never been post modern or post human for that matter. Whereas modernism can be defined as rational, hierarchical, centered and having a definite belief in progress. postmodernism is defined as irrational, anarchical, and dispersed and holds a belief that no progress is possible.
I believe it is fair to say that both modernism and postmodernism establish criteria that are unattainable to achieve. We may have striven to be modern, just as some of us are currently striving to be postmodern, but to say that we have been one or the other is hard for me to accept. The reality for these two competing camps is best summed up by Latour: while the moderns will remain standing in “a break in the regular passage of time” (10) the postmoderns will continue to “remain suspended in belief and doubt, waiting for the end of the millennium” (9).
I have said it before and will say it again, everything remotely related to culture can be explained using examples from the Simpsons. Good work. I agree, we have never, and probably will never be modern, it seems like something that is unattainable. I also liked your discussion of the American Dream. It's especially relevant to any discussion of culture as it appears in so many cultural texts, from novels, to movies to television. I also think you are right in connecting it to the idea of modernism. It seems like a good fit. We seem to romanticize the notion of the past, seeing it as a simpler time, and when anyone could work hard to achieve their goals, but at the same time we do not look at the difficult realities of the dream, especially for minorities. We don't actually want to go back to this time because we know of the hardships (without our technological advancements), but we yearn for it none the less. Somehow we also manage to continue looking to the future, as a time when we may be able to achieve that dream. Overall it is a difficult narrative to deal with, especially when you look at Latour's argument about modernity.
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