The first half of the twentieth century was a period of intense literary innovation in America. This module will introduce students to key novelists, poets and playwrights whose aesthetic practice reflected the turbulent times through which they were living. The module title borrows from Ezra Pound, who was instrumental in encouraging artists to adopt literary forms which expressed the turmoil and the potential of technical and social change. The texts will explore the representations of key thematic concerns such as the emerging consumer market, race, urbanisation and Hollywood as a significant cultural force. At the same time, classes will trace the emergence of radical new modes of representation which attempt to capture the furious pace of change.

Texts will include:
Edith Wharton, The House of Mirth (1905)
John Dos Passos, Manhattan Transfer (1925)
Nella Larson, Passing (1929)
Horace McCoy, They Shoot Horses Don't They? (1935)

Poetry from:
HD, Ezra Pound and William Carlos Williams

Drama:
Arthur Miller, Death of a Salesman (1948)

Consisting of:

500 word Critical Commentary 25% (LO 5)
Final 2000 word Essay 75% (LOs 1-4)

Key Information Set Data
100% Coursework

2 hour seminar with tutor-led group discussion. Students will be expected to prepare for classes by reading of both the primary and set secondary reading.

Key Information Set Data
16% Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity
84% Guided Independent Study

Library
The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.

Richard Gray (2004), A History of American Literature. Oxford : Blackwell.
Maria Balshaw (2000), Looking for Harlem: Urban Aesthetics in African-American Literature. London: Pluto.
Peter Conn (2009), The American 1930s: a literary history. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Robert Paul Lamb and Gary Richard Thompson (2009), A Companion to American Fiction, 1865-1914. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.
John T. Matthews (Ed) (2013), A Companion to the Modern American Novel 1900-1950. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.