Literature in the 21st Century

WORLD LITERATURE
 Literature in the 21st Century

“The crossroads of literature”

Literature in the 21st Century

“DEATH OF PRINT”
 MAJOR JOURNALISTIC SOURCES

1. TWITTER

2. BLOGS

3. HYPER-TEXTUAL

4. ONLINE FORUMS
 MAJOR JOURNALISTIC SOURCES
1. TWITTER- has created something of its own literary form,
offering the use of hash tags to help convey a message within
160 characters. Twitter is a free social
networking microblogging service that allows registered
members to broadcast short posts called tweets.
2. BLOGS- have afforded both individual writers and
organizations, established or not, the opportunity of free
publication. It is a regularly updated website or web page,
typically one run by an individual or small group, that is written
in an informal or conversational style.
 MAJOR JOURNALISTIC SOURCES
3. HYPER-TEXTUAL- hyper-textual nature of the Internet, aided by now
social media, helps keep discussion flowing both around the world and
around the clock. It is a software system that links topics on the screen
to related information and graphics, which are typically accessed by a
point-and-click method.
4. ONLINE FORUMS- Online forums, which once belonged to a niche of
dedicated computer enthusiasts, have been incorporated by most major
news sites. An Internet forum, or message board, is an online
discussion site where people can hold conversations in the form of
posted messages. They differ from chat rooms in that messages are often
longer than one line of text, and are at least temporarily archived.
 TRADITIONAL FORMS

1. NOVELS

2. PLAYS

3. POETRY
 ELECTRONIC LITERATURE

1. HYPERTEXT (INTERACTIVE FICTION)

2. ANIMATED POETRY

3. SMS (TEXT MESSAGE)

e.x: TEXTULLA
 Literature in the 21st Century

 SCIENCE FICTION- fiction based on imagined

future scientific or technological advances and major social or
environmental changes, frequently portraying space or time travel
and life on other planets.

 MODERNISM- Literary modernism, or modernist literature,

has its origins in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, mainly in Europe and
North America, and is characterized by a very self-conscious break with
traditional ways of writing, in both poetry and prose fiction.
 POST MODERNISM- is literature characterized by reliance
on narrative techniques such as fragmentation, paradox, and the unreliable narrator; and is
often defined as a style or a trend which emerged in the post–World War II era.

 THEATRE OF THE ABSURD- the term 'Theatre of

the Absurd' is applied to a number of dramatic works which share the view that the human
condition is essentially absurd by which is meant a lack of meaning in life. Minimal setting,
repetitive dialogue, the theme of the meaninglessness of life are the hallmarks of the theatre
of the absurd.

 AXIOMATIC LANGUAGE- is self evident or obvious. The

fact that two things that are equal to a third thing are also equal to each other is an example
of something that is axiomatic.
THEMES IN LITERATURE
IN THE 21ST CENTURY
 Themes in Literature in the 21st Century
(Non-Fiction)
by Ashley Walton United States

Contemporary writers often consciously draw inspiration and ideas from the
writers who have come before them. As a result, many works of 21st
literature grapple with the events, movements and literature of the past in
order to make sense of the present. Additionally, the technological
advancements of the 21st century have led other writers to hypothetically
write about the future, usually to comment on the present and evoke
introspection.
 Themes in Literature in the 21st Century
(Non-Fiction)
by Ashley Walton United States
1. IDENTITY
‘Identity’ refers to “the collective aspect of the set characteristics by
which a thing is definitively recognizable or known” in other words, what
makes a person unique or distinctive. ‘Identity’ as a theme can be a
somewhat problematic concept, however, because authors and poets often
construct complex and unfathomable characters.
 Themes in Literature in the 21st Century
(Non-Fiction)
by Ashley Walton United States
With increasing globalization, intersections of cultures and more vocal discussions of women’s
rights and LGBT rights, identity has become a common theme in 21st century literature. In a
world that is now able to exchange ideas more quickly than ever before via the Internet and
other technological advancements, people have relatively more freedom to draw from multiple
cultures and philosophies and question the concept of the self and its relation to the body, brain
and “soul.” For example, Sam Clay in "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay" by
Michael Chabon struggles to come to terms with his homosexuality. The novel, which is about
young comic book collaborators during the World War II era, won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in
2001. With her 2008 book "Infidel," Ayaan Hirsi Ali became a feminist voice for the rights of
abused Muslim women and religious freedom.
 Themes in Literature in the 21st Century
(Non-Fiction)
by Ashley Walton United States
2. HISTORY AND MEMORY
Memory in literature is the written form of that which has come before. Memories come
from the historical past but are also formed by social, political, and religious events in the
lives of literary characters.
As contemporary readers are able to look back on history and see how history has been
depicted differently for different audiences, history and memory have become themes in
21st century literature. Often contemporary literature explores the notion of multiplicities of
truth and acknowledges that history is filtered through human perspective and experience.
For example, "The March" by E.L. Doctorow fictionalizes yet still depicts the realities of
General Sherman’s famous march during the U.S. Civil War, and how people of the South
were slaughtered, giving a slightly different perspective of how the North is usually depicted.
 Themes in Literature in the 21st Century
(Non-Fiction)
by Ashley Walton United States
3. TECHNOLOGY
Technology and its devices have offered a unique platform for renowned authors as well to
the common people. People are easily expressing themselves through means of electronic
media like blog and social networking sites. There is a vogue; famous personalities are
sharing their views with readers through blogs. These ways to reach to the people have been
adopted by politicians, sportspersons, actors, social activists, industrialists and so on.
Technology enabled one to one correspondence between an author and a reader. This new
way of communication is adding new dimensions to the literary fraternity. It is providing a
healthy discussion about the reception and understanding literature in a better way among
scholars, researchers and common readers.
 Themes in Literature in the 21st Century
(Non-Fiction)
by Ashley Walton United States
Today, technology is more integrated into people’s lives than ever before. Dreams of
what technology could potentially help people become and anxieties regarding the
demise of humanity as a result of technology can be seen in 21st century literature.
On one hand, there are books about biotechnology helping people with disabilities,
such as "Machine Man" by Max Barry. Additionally, many 21st century works of
literature explore what it means when all of humanity’s experiences are filtered
through technology. For example, "Ready Player One" by Ernest Cline depicts a
futuristic world where everyone escapes reality by plugging into a virtual utopia.
 Themes in Literature in the 21st Century
(Non-Fiction)
by Ashley Walton United States
4. INTERTEXTUALITY

The acknowledgment of previous literary works within another literary work.

POST MODERN LITERARY
TECHNIQUES - 21ST CENTURY
POSTMODERN LITERARY TECHNIQUES
1. FABULATION
A rejection of realism which embraces the
notion that literature is a created work and not
bound by notions of mimesis and verisimilitude.
POSTMODERN LITERARY TECHNIQUES

2. MAGIC REALISM
Literary work mark by the use of still,
sharply defined, smoothly painted images of
figures and objects depicted in a surrealistic
manner. The themes and subjects are often
imaginary, somewhat outlandish and fantastic
and with a certain dream-like quality.
POSTMODERN LITERARY TECHNIQUES

3. METAFICTION
The act of writing about writing or making
readers aware of the fictional nature of the very
fiction they're reading.
POSTMODERN LITERARY TECHNIQUES

4. PASTICHE
Means to combine, or “paste” together,
multiple elements.
POSTMODERN LITERARY TECHNIQUES

5. INTERTEXTUALITY
The acknowledgment of previous literary
works within another literary work.
POSTMODERN LITERARY TECHNIQUES

6. BLACK HUMOR
A comic style that makes light of subject
matter that is generally consider taboo.
GENRES OF21 STCENTURY
LITERATURES
GENRES OF 21ST CENTURY LITERATURE

1. ACTION & ADVENTURE- Any story that puts the

protagonist in physical danger, characterized by
thrilling near misses, and courageous and daring feats,
belongs to this genre. It is fast paced, the tension
mounting as the clock ticks. There is always a climax
that offers the reader some relief.
GENRES OF 21ST CENTURY LITERATURE

2. ROMANCE- These stories are about a romantic

relationship between two people. They are
characterized by sensual tension, desire, and idealism.
The author keeps the two apart for most of the novel,
but they do eventually end up together. There are many
sub-genres, including paranormal, historical,
contemporary, category, fantasy, and gothic.
GENRES OF 21ST CENTURY LITERATURE

3. SPORTS AND GAMES- revolves around a sport

setting, event, or an athlete. Often, this will center on a
single sporting event that carries significant importance.
Sports traditionally have a simple plot that builds up to the
significant sporting event. This genre is known for
incorporating film techniques to build anticipation and
intensity. Sports have a large range of sub-genres, from
comedies to dramas, and are more likely than other genres
to be based true-life events.
GENRES OF 21ST CENTURY LITERATURE

4. HISTORICAL- These fictional stories take

place against factual historical backdrops.
Important historical figures are portrayed as fictional
characters. Historical Romance is a sub-genre that
involves a conflicted love relationship in a
factual historical setting.
GENRES OF 21ST CENTURY LITERATURE

5. COMEDY- Comedies are humorous, funny stories intended to

make the reader or viewer laugh.
Black comedy. Although these stories are intended to be funny,
they also touch darker areas of storytelling, such as death and
fear.
Parodies. A parody intends to mimic another genre to humorous
effect. Parodies can be intended to mock and criticize as well as
to pay homage.
Rom-com. Romantic comedies, or rom-coms, mix love stories
together with comedic events.
Slapstick comedy. This type of comedy features physical humor
such as pratfalls, silly and exaggerated body language, and
unlikely scenarios.
 GENRES OF 21ST CENTURY LITERATURE

6. SCIENCE FICTION- This genre incorporates any story set in

the future, the past, or other dimensions. The story features scientific ideas and
advanced technological concepts. Writers must be prepared to spend time
building new worlds. The setting should define the plot. There are many science
fiction sub-genres.
Apocalyptic sci-fi. Any science fiction that has to do with the end of the
world or the destruction of mankind is known as "apocalyptic" sci-fi.
Hard sci-fi. When the science of a particular story is well-researched and
stands up to scrutiny, it is considered "hard" sci-fi.
Soft sci-fi. Soft sci-fi typically deals less with the complications of applied
science and more with the effects of science.
Space opera. This type of science fiction deals with the long-term effects of
a life lived in space, such as Star Trek or Star Wars.
GENRES OF 21ST CENTURY LITERATURE

7. FANTASY AND MYSTERY- These stories deal with

kingdoms as opposed to sci-fi, which deals with universes. Writers must
spend plenty of time on world building. Myths, otherworldly magic-
based concepts, and ideas characterize these books. They frequently
take cues from historical settings like The Dark Ages.
Fables. This type of fantasy story demonstrates a general truth or a parable.
Fairy tales. Often age-old stories that include magic and folklore in addition to
traditional fantasy characters like elves and goblins.
Legends. While legends may include bits of historical fact, they are usually made
to seem larger than life, as in the Legend of King Arthur.
Scientific fantasy. A fantasy story that may include elements of scientific fact is
known as science-fantasy.
GENRES OF 21ST CENTURY LITERATURE

8. SUSPENSE/THRILLER- A character in jeopardy

dominates these stories. This genre involves pursuit and
escape. There are one or more ‘dark’ characters that the
protagonist must escape from, fight against, or best in the
story. The threats to the protagonist can be physical or
psychological, or both. The setting is integral to the plot.
A Techno Thriller is a sub-genre.
GENRES OF 21ST CENTURY LITERATURE

9. DETECTIVE- Detective fiction is a subgenre

of crime fiction and mystery fiction in which an
investigator or a detective—either professional,
amateur or retired—investigates a crime, often
murder.
GENRES OF 21ST CENTURY LITERATURE

10. SEXUALITY- Sexual themes are frequently used

in science fiction or related genres. Such elements may
include depictions of realistic sexual interactions in a
science fictional setting, a protagonist with an
alternative sexuality, or exploration of the varieties
of sexual experience that deviate from the conventional.
GENRES OF 21ST CENTURY LITERATURE

11. HORROR- Horror stories are intended, as the name suggests, to

horrify and scare an audience. The genre of horror has been shocking audiences
for many centuries and includes many sub-genres.
Ghost stories. These are stories where the dead return to life and haunt
the living, such as Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Sometimes the ghosts are
trying to teach the living a lesson.
Monster stories. Monster stories use creatures that frighten or threaten
human beings as the antagonists.
Slasher fiction. Popular in cinema, slasher stories tell of deranged killers
who are out to punish regular people.
Survival stories. These stories paint a future where humankind is up against
a threat like zombies or vampires and must survive against the odds.