Final answer:
Modernism is a cultural movement that originated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, advocating for new expressions in art and challenging traditional Western cultural transmitters such as religion, science, and nationalism. It introduced innovative techniques in various forms of art and literature as a response to societal changes and the trauma of World War I.
Step-by-step explanation:
Modernism is a broad cultural movement that began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It challenged the established norms and conventions of the time by advocating for new forms of expression across arts, architecture, literature, and beyond. Rejecting the established cultural transmitters of the Western world, Modernism could be characterized by its rejection of established authority, skepticism towards traditional values, and a belief in an utopian vision of society and human progress. The movement's underpinnings included a reaction against the complacency of the bourgeoisie and a profound sense of uncertainty following World War I.
In the arts, Modernist creators sought to "Make it new!" This ethos led to radical innovations such as the stream-of-consciousness novel, atonal music, divisionist painting, and abstract art. Not confined to literature and visual arts alone, Modernism also influenced theater, giving rise to American playwrights who developed new narrative techniques, setting the stage for renowned figures like Eugene O'Neill, Arthur Miller, and Tennessee Williams.
Modernism was a response to the monumental shifts in society, epitomized by urbanization, industrialization, and the traumatic experiences of World War I. It also harbored a deep-seated skepticism about the narratives constructed by the three great 'cultural transmitters' of the Western world: religion, science, and nationalism. In its essence, Modernism marked a pronounced break with the past, fostering creativity and innovation in an attempt to redefine the human experience in an increasingly complex world.