Which of the following statements are true about Modernism?

A. Modernism marked a break with formal conventions
B. Old ways of thought underwent cultural shift
C. Decline of liberal humanism
D. Modernism revived classical scholarship
E. Modernism promoted logocentric way of thoughts

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

The correct answer is A, B and C only.

Modernism was a broad cultural, artistic, and literary movement that arose in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in the period surrounding World War I. It was characterized by a conscious departure from traditional forms of art, literature, and social organization. Let us analyze each statement to understand why this option is correct:

A. Modernism marked a break with formal conventions: This statement is true. Modernist writers and artists actively rejected Victorian aesthetic standards, linear narratives, and traditional poetic structures. Instead, they experimented with new forms such as stream-of-consciousness writing, free verse, fragmentation, and multiple perspectives to reflect the complex nature of the modern experience.

B. Old ways of thought underwent cultural shift: This statement is true. The rapid rise of industrialization, urbanization, scientific breakthroughs (such as Einstein's theory of relativity), and the psychological theories of Sigmund Freud dismantled long-held assumptions about reality, time, and human behavior, leading to a profound transformation in how people perceived the world.

C. Decline of liberal humanism: This statement is true. Liberal humanism, which emphasized the inherent rationality of human beings, progress, and a stable moral order, was deeply shaken by the unprecedented devastation of World War I. The conflict exposed the irrationality and destructive capacity of humanity, leading to widespread disillusionment and the decline of traditional humanist optimism.

Why D and E are incorrect:
• D (Modernism revived classical scholarship) is incorrect because, although some modernist authors like James Joyce and T.S. Eliot drew upon classical myths, the primary goal of the movement was not the revival of classical scholarship (which is historically associated with periods like the Renaissance or Neoclassicism). Instead, modernists fragmented and re-imagined classical myths to represent the brokenness of contemporary society.
• E (Modernism promoted logocentric way of thoughts) is incorrect. Logocentrism refers to the belief in an ultimate, stable, and objective center of meaning or truth (often represented by language). Modernism challenged these absolute truths, emphasizing instead subjectivity, ambiguity, and the instability of language and meaning.