1. Enlightenment:
Stories that are "light" and entertaining.
Alternatively, stories about people who "light" the way.
2. Romanticism:
Romance abounds in this type of literature.
Tales of love and passion.
Taylor Swift.
3. Gothic:
Part of the "subculture" movement in the post-hippy period.
Isolation is a theme. Rebellion, but also the hopelessness of rebellion.
The color black. (Or "negro" as it is called in Espanol.)
Architecture is in the form of the iconic "gothic" cathedral.
4. Transcendentalism:
Literature born out of the transatlantic slave trade.
5. Realism:
Literature that deals solely with what is possible and also "real."
Nothing fantastical that seems like it could have been "made up."
Maybe a book about boiling pasta and eating it would be an example. Something everyday etc. etc.
6. Modernism:
People use modern appliances and the idea of modern society is pushed into the forefront.
Everything is very "newfangled" and people adjust.
What will the future hold?—a question asked in most of this type of literature.
Books written within the last five years.
7. Naturalism:
Nature is discussed by people who live it.
Emerson is probably the best example. (Or was that Thoreau? Whoever wrote "Leaves of Grass*")
*"Leaves of Grass," is one of the most iconic examples of "naturalism."
8. Stream of consciousness:
This is a very Science Fiction like concept.
Related: "Fountain of Youth"
9. The Lost Generation:
A generation that sadly failed to make any art of consequence. :(
10. Dada:
Literature that relates to the concept of "Father" and "Fatherhood."
11. Harlem Renaissance:
An upsurge in interest in older concepts such as "knighthood" and "rules of succession" leading to a new cultural movement in a metropolitan area.
LARPing may have been born out of this movement.
12. Surrealism:
Like realism. But with something extra (?).
13. Postmodernism:
Literature that pushes beyond what is modern.
This could be futuristic, resplendent with flying cars etc. etc.
Alternative: apocalyptic.
What comes after the after? –question to consider here.
14. Beat Poetry:
Poetry that can be chanted to the beat of a drum (or other percussion instrument.)
15, Spoken Word:
When literature is read aloud, usually in front of an audience or crowd.
16. Magical Realism:
When base reality is infused with a sheen of magic.
In a brief splendid moment the ordinary becomes extraordinary.
Ex. A long-lost soldier reunites with his children just as a double rainbow makes the dew on the grass dance. Someone smiles and another someone's troubles vanish.
17. Post-colonialism:
The literature that came after colonialism.
18. Impressionism:
Only first impressions are written down.
Brief abstractions.
Literature that flits across the surface of human thought.
If Andy Warhol wrote a book.
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