Australian Narrative: The Modernist Impulse

A study of the rise of modernism in Australian narrative literature, including prose, drama and poetry. The emphasis is on hybrid fictional texts that exemplify realist-modernist characteristics. Formal and thematic issues are examined within a broad social and literary context.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the social and literary context that gave rise to modernism;

2. recognise the formal characteristics of modernist literature;

3. understand the thematic concerns of literary modernism;

4. demonstrate a knowledge of key Australian literary texts;

5. appreciate the links between literary theory and literary modernism.

UNIT CONTENT

1. The social, cultural and literary origins of modernism.

2. The tensions between realism and modernism in Australian narrative.

3. The critical response to modernism in Australia.

4. Intimations of postmodernism.

Texts: 

Prichard, Katharine Susannah

Brisbane, Katharine [ed.]

Brumby Innes, and Bid Me to Love 1974 Drama

Dark, Eleanor Prelude to Christopher 1934 Novel

Harrower, Elizabeth The Long Prospect 1958 Novel

Mackenzie, Kenneth

Rossiter, Richard [ed.]

The Model : Selected Writings of Kenneth Seaforth Mackenzie 2000 Selected work

Lord, Mary [ed.] The Penguin Best Australian Short Stories 1991 Anthology

Anderson, Jessica Tirra Lirra by the River 1978 Novel