Final answer:
Modernism, a cultural and philosophical movement associated with industrial and urban transformation, began around 1850 but reached distinct expression around 1900. It is characterized by a break from traditional norms and a focus on individuality in the arts. The correct date that reflects the modern experience in art and literature as expressed in the question is 1900.
Step-by-step explanation:
Modernism is a cultural and philosophical movement that originated from vast transformations in Western society primarily during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This period is characterized by the emergence of industrial societies, the exponential growth of cities, and the subsequent challenges and disillusionments following World War I. Modern societies transitioned from agricultural economies to ones centered on industry, urbanization, and technological innovation. Chronologically, Modernity and modernist art began taking shape around 1850 and found a distinct voice by 1900, coming into full expression during the 1920s. This era saw artists and writers rejecting established norms, embracing abstraction, and questioning past traditions. Modernism as a movement was marked by a sense of optimism and a belief in progress, rejecting the static and traditional to embrace change as a hallmark of a forward-moving society. In the context of the question, which refers to the cultural aspect of the modern experience as expressed in art and literature, such as individuality, alienation, and introspection, the most accurate date is 1900 (Option B). This time frame marks the burgeoning of Modernism in both Europe and the United States, as reflected in the shift towards self-reflection, questioning established ideas, and prioritizing the individual experience in artistic and literary expressions.