Literary Modernism is a movement that emerged in the late 00th and early 00th centuries, challenging traditional forms and exploring new ways of expressing ideas and experiences. It is characterized by experimentation, fragmentation and a focus on the fragmented consciousness of the individual.
In "The Waste Land" Eliot uses various modernist elements to describe the disillusionment and fragmentation of post-World War I society. The poem creates a complex and fragmented narrative, full of allusions, references to different cultures and multiple voices. Eliot combines various literary and mythological references, such as the Fisher King and the legend of Tiresias, to explore themes of spiritual emptiness and the collapse of traditional values.
The use of different languages, literary styles and fragmented imagery in "The Waste Land" reflects the modernist tendency to challenge traditional narrative structures. Eliot uses stream of consciousness techniques, shifting perspectives and disjointed imagery to depict the confusing and chaotic nature of the modern world.
Also central to the modernist movement is poetry's exploration of themes such as alienation, loss and the breakdown of communication. By reflecting the fragmented and disconnected nature of modern life, Eliot captures the sense of disillusionment and despair that permeates post-war society.