Modernism vs. Postmodernism

I have pondered the characters in each of the works we have read. The character that best helps me understand the differences between Modernism and Postmodernism is the Chancellor from "The Obsolete Man". If we were looking at continuum comparing Modernism and Postmodernism, we would see the Chancellor at the extreme side of Modernism. When I think of Modernism and the Chancellor, I see there being an absolute and universal truth that is understood through rationalism and logic. In the totalitarian society, the Chancellor was putting Wordsworth on trial for being obsolete in the State. The Chancellor had the mindset that Wordsworth was obsolete because he was a religious librarian in a society that didn't allow religion or books. Wordsworth, who is more of a Postmodern character says, "I am nothing more than a reminder to you that you cannot destroy truth by burning pages." Wordsworth, along with Postmodernism, believes there is no universal truth, and rationality by itself does not help us truly understand the world.

The Narrator ends the short movie saying, "the chancellor, the late chancellor, was only partly correct. He was obsolete, but so is the State, the entity he worshiped. Any state, any entity, any ideology that fails to recognize the worth, the dignity, the rights of man, that state is obsolete." This solidifies the notion of Postmodernism, which the Chancellor and his state was against.

Brief Biography

My name is Matt and I am from Jericho, Vermont. My parents have moved a couple times since I came to Clemson in 2005, and have settled in Columbus, Indiana. I am graduating in December with a B.S. in Sport Management with a minor in Business.

This summer, I interned with the Pavilion Recreation Complex in Greenville, where I was assisting the Facility's General Manager. This was my third internship after previously interning with the Greenville Drive Professional Baseball Team and the Greenville Grrrowl Professional Hockey Team. I am looking into going into Hockey Operations at the Professional Hockey level or into Facility Operations in the Community Recreation sector.

I have been a life long hockey player, playing through my youth, high school, and even junior hockey after I graduated high school in 2003. I chose Clemson over some hockey scholarship offers up north. I have captained the Clemson Club Ice Hockey team for the last three seasons.

I also enjoy playing golf, going to the lake, and grilling out.