Final answer:
Postmodernism refers to a range of movements across philosophy, art, and culture that emerged after and in reaction to Modernism, characterized by skepticism towards grand narratives and often embracing pastiche, playfulness, irony, and intertextuality.
Step-by-step explanation:
Postmodernism is a term that describes a wide-ranging set of developments in philosophy, architecture, art, literature, and culture, which are generally characterized by a departure from Modernism and by an attitude of skepticism towards grand theories and ideologies. Postmodernism is often associated with the era following Modernism, typically considered to begin in the mid-to-late 20th century, marked by tendencies in various disciplines to depart from the previously dominant Modernist paradigms, to combine elements from different times and styles, to disrupt the traditional boundaries between media, and to challenge the concept of the autonomous, original work of art.
In literature, postmodernist works are seen as a continuation or extension of modernist literature, with a tendency towards playfulness, parody, bricolage, and a self-referential exploration of language and narrative forms. Examples of postmodern literature include the works of Don DeLillo, who, despite employing postmodern techniques, identifies more closely with the Modernist tradition. Postmodernism in architecture rejects the austere minimalism of Modernist design, often incorporating a mix of historical styles with bold forms and ornamentation.
In the wider culture, postmodernism reflects the complex, interconnected, and rapidly changing society that emerged after World War II, characterized by a focus on media, globalization, and consumer culture. These shifts in society have influenced the art that emerges under the postmodern label, highlighting how the art itself responds to and reflects upon the condition of postmodernity.