To say that the development of technology and scientific theory affected the rise of modernist literature would be an understatement. The era of the printing press and mass production of literary journals brought new ideas to audiences and writers alike. With new ideas came new perspectives and writing aesthetics as scientific vocabulary became much more prevalent in modernist literature. Writers such as Forster imagined what the future would be like with the rapid pace of developing technology, but also looked at what it had brought them in the present moment. The era of World War I brought much attention to the horrors of newly developed military artillery, as well as psychological theory used to help those suffering from experiences in combat. Taking advantage of the changing times, Katherine Mansfield boldly incorporated scientific methods, such as thermodynamics, to demonstrate the changing energy of the characters. Science and technology are continually improving and evolving with each passing day, resulting in the changing genre of science fiction. Though these advancements are not restricted to the “modernist era.” The impact of technological progress on literature rings true across multiple generations, allowing the newness of modernism to be ever-present.
‘Am I late?’
‘No, not at all,’ said Bertha. ‘Come along.’ And she took her arm and they moved into the dining-room.
What was there in the touch of that cool arm that could fan–fan–start blazing–blazing–the fire of bliss that Bertha did not know what to do with?
Bliss (Mansfield 151)
In the World, Not of If
The girl stands at the base of the crater as the steam rises from the ashen rock. The clear blue sky is obscured by the thick smoke coming from the depths of Mt. Kīlauea. She gazes at the surrounding foliage that is slowly but surely being consumed by the creeping lava flow.
A brisk gust of wind.
Now she stands among a colony of Emperor penguins, their constant chatter filling her ears. Though the weather is only moderate, still they huddle together, paying special attention to the little ones with their gray down feathers. The white crystalled landscape expands beyond field of vision, highlighting the waddling black figures.
A flash of lightning.
The sky shatters as the ear-piercing boom rings through the girl’s head. Trees are jostled left and right by the maelstrom, creaking under its intense pressure. Torrents of rain hit the tropical canopy in what should have felt like stinging needles. But there was nothing.
A dispersion of particles. The lines of a grid form along the walls ceiling and floor, enveloped in cool blue glow.
Simulation Terminated
“Oh. It’s over.” The girl slowly takes off the headset that is connected to a large computer console.
“Did you enjoy your experience, Unna?” the lab assistant asks as he writes on his clipboard. As the computer exhales mechanical whirs, Unna’s mother walks into the room and stands at her daughter’s side.
“Well, yes but- I couldn’t actually feel anything. I knew in the back of my mind that I wasn’t really there.”
“That is a shame. Unfortunately, our equipment for touch sensations is only in the beta testing stage. But our audio and visual simulation technology is second to none.”
Unna holds the headset in her hands, thinking back to the places she “visited.” Where was the heat from the volcano, the icy air that could tear one’s skin?
“I don’t want to “experience” these places on a headset. I want to actually be there.”
“Hush now Unna,” her mother snaps. “You shouldn’t say such selfish things.”
“It’s not the same. If I really have only so long to live, I want to see, I want to feel the real world.”
“Be grateful for what you have. Not everyone with your condition gets to experience virtual reality.” Her mother crosses her arms.
Experience, experience, experience.
“Science has allowed you to witness and hear the wonders of nature. Every day we come closer to creating our own reality where children like you can live without worrying about the risks of the outside world. We will work tirelessly to ensure you have a satisfactory experience in the future with the technology we have at our disposal.”
Science used to be about discovering the beauty of the world, she thought. Why do we have to create our own?
-E.B.
making it new. 