Introduction
The decadent movement is known as a literary and artistic period in history that was dominant during the 19th century and early 20th century. While the movement began in Europe it flourished through other parts of the world extending as far as the United States. As such, we can see a great deal of similarities shared by many decadent authors, but the very core of what defines decadent literature remains a challenge even today. This ambiguity is perhaps best explained by C.E.M. Joad in his book Decadence:
Decadence is identified with the valuin of experience for its own sake, irrespective of the quality of the experience, the object of the experience, that upon which the experience is, as it were, directed, being left out of account. Decadence, then, is defined as the 'dropping of the object.' (p. 54)
Keep this quote in mind as you go through the WebQuest. Consider whether or not you agree with C.E.M. Joad's idea of decadence.
The decadent movement's rise during the 19th century was heavily influenced by traditional Gothic novels and rejected traditional social values and norms at the time, predominantly Victorian social norms (Joad, 1949). The term was generally associated with decline or decay with the belief that Europe has reached the end of an age that combined art and literature with moral values. The eruption of many works and poverty gave rise gave rise to the notion that one should enjoy the fleeting pleasure of life given such difficult living conditions and the major expansion of urbanization (Joad, 1949).
Task
As you go through each of the links provided, make sure to pay attention to some of the important aspects of these authors' lives. How did society perceive them? Did they share certain struggles? What do you think influenced these authors to write the type of works that they did?
Process
Step 1: Click and read through each link that explains the life and literary works of each author.
Step 2: Write down important things that you think influenced these authors during this literary movement. Note: Your answer does not have to come in standard paragraph form. It is only important that you are able to gather key pieces of information about each author to help you understand this literary movement and how far reaching it really was.
Step 3: Complete a brief summary about what you think defines decadent literature. Make sure to look back on your notes and also the quote by C.E.M. Joad.
Robert W. Chambers:
http://www.yankeeclassic.com/miskatonic/dliterature/authors/chambers/bi…
https://americanliterature.com/author/robert-w-chambers/bio-books-stori…
Jun Ishikawa:
http://www.booksfromjapan.jp/authors/item/92-jun-ishikawa
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/1999/04/13/books/writer-forever-tru…
Zinaida Hippius:
http://russiapedia.rt.com/prominent-russians/literature/zinaida-hippius/
http://rbth.com/literature/2014/11/20/a_life_unshackled_remembering_the…
Oscar Wilde:
http://www.cmgww.com/historic/wilde/
http://www.wilde-online.info/oscar-wilde-biography.htm
Aubrey Beardsley:
http://www.biography.com/people/aubrey-beardsley-9203369
http://www.victorianweb.org/art/illustration/beardsley/bio1.html
More information on decadent literature:
Evaluation
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4- Advanced |
3- Proficient |
2- Satisfactory |
1- Unsatisfactory |
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Notes about the aurthors: Robert W. Chambers Jun Ishikawa Zinaida Hippius Oscar Wilde And Aubrey Beardsley |
Student makes strong connections between the author’s literary works, the movement and key influences in his/her life. |
Student makes several strong connections between the author’s literary works and influences, but misses the link between his/her literary works and the movement |
Student makes weak or incorrect link between the author’s literary works, the movement and influences in his/her life. |
Student makes no links between the author’s literary works, the movement and influences in his/her life. |
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Summary |
Student develops a strong summary paragraph that utilizes the information gathered from his/her notes (specifically that of author’s literary works) and makes connections to C.E.M. Joad’s explanation of decadence. |
Student makes a strong attempt to define decadence through use of information gathered from notes, might make connections to C.E.M Joad’s quote, but fails to make direct connections to the literary works. |
Student makes a weak attempt to define decadence through use of vague or unreliable notes and does not utilize C.E.M. Joad’s quote to establish a strong understanding of the decadent literary movement. |
Student does not make connections between information from their notes and the overall concept of the decadent literary movement. |
Conclusion
I hope that this WebQuest has given you an opportunity to learn about new literary elements and how some of these elements can come together in one unique literary movement. Literarture is an ever evolving and changing dynamic that explores the artistic means by which people express their deepest feelings through the written word. Do you think there are literary movements that are going on right now that are similar/different from the one you just researched?