What is the Difference Between Modern and Contemporary Literature?

The main difference between modern and contemporary literature lies in their historical context, themes, and writing style. Here are the key differences:

1. Historical Context: Modern literature refers to works written from the late 19th century to the middle of the 20th century, encompassing the modernist movement. Contemporary literature, on the other hand, refers to works produced from the 1940s onwards, focusing on current issues and reflecting the present-day society.
2. Themes: Modern literature often explores themes such as existentialism, alienation, and the fragmentation of society, while contemporary literature addresses concerns and issues relevant to today's society, such as identity, race, gender, class, politics, and technology.
3. Writing Style: Modern literature is often characterized by a more formal and experimental writing style, with a focus on techniques such as stream-of-consciousness narration. In contrast, contemporary literature features a somewhat modern narrative but contains a harsher reality, with stories that are more character-driven than plot-driven.
4. Setting: Contemporary literature usually keeps to the current or modern era, with futuristic and science fiction novels rarely included in this category. Well-defined, realistic, and highly developed characters are important in classifying a written work as contemporary.
5. Geographical Scope: While much of contemporary literature comes from Western authors, the term is not synonymous with English or American literature. This literary period can apply to written works from anywhere in the world, reflecting the globalization of literature.

Comparative Table: Modern vs Contemporary Literature

The main difference between modern and contemporary literature lies in their time periods. Modern literature refers to the literature dating from the late nineteenth century to the 1960s, while contemporary literature refers to the literary period that follows the modernist period, starting from the second world war until the present day. Here is a comparison table highlighting the differences between modern and contemporary literature:

Some key features of modern literature include a deliberate break from traditional writing styles, with authors often experimenting with new forms and techniques. In contrast, contemporary literature places more emphasis on the plot and characters of the novels, reflecting the changing interests and values of modern society.