Meta-modernism: Renewed Hope

Literature Review

The world and its cultures are ever-evolving, and this has resulted in the growth of numerous
concepts in a bid to explain the development and the resulting changes. Meta-modernism is a
developmental concept created to describe the mediation between modernism and
postmodernism, it is a result of contemporary constant developments and global conditions. This
concept counters a period of postmodernism that was previously filled with irony, despair, and
cynicism. Meta-modernism defines our contemporary culture that deals heavily with the
digitalization and developments in contemporary life. Its aspect requires that we move beyond the
ideological practices of the modern and postmodern eras of hope and despair. Therefore this paper
will focus on introducing hope as a new grand narrative which inspires change in the world.

In order to understand meta-modernism and what it means in our contemporary culture, we must
investigate writings on the concept, as well as look to new writers insights on hope as a
development of a new culture that incorporates new perspectives beyond the cultural practices in
postmodernism.

Rebecca Solnit (2016) states that hope locates itself in places we might not expect, and in so
causing us to recognize uncertainty, we have the urge to act. Solnit argues that hope incorporates
the unknown and the unknowable, she shows that meta-modernism has brought a wave of the
unknown; people do not know what to expect from the world, yet she advises people to accept
these realities, whether it be the devastating climate changes that the scientists could not foresee
or the horrendous terrorist attacks that happened in the last decade. She states that hope means
facing and confronting those alternations and changes, while still embracing the ideologies and
massive improvements that happened in the previous era of postmodernism, which resulted in
social change and shift of perspective (Solnit, 2016, p.xxi- xiv). Personally, I agree with her
argument because the shift to meta-modernism has encountered numerous challenges. However,
the constant growth and development offer trust in which people will be able to overcome these
shortcomings sooner or later through their actions.

Robin van den Akker and Timotheus Vermeulen (2015) argue that perception of utopia has
reappeared in art alongside a constructive and a renewed sense of empathy. They argue that this
utopian turn has been a result of the drift from postmodernism to meta-modernism (Akker &
Vermeulen, 2015, p.55). They state that artists today are reimagining utopia because they are
faced with an unstable and an uncertain world, and they suggest that whole notion of utopia should
be used as a tool, for scanning the world for alternative possibilities. That it is not invoked as an
escape mechanism, rather, it is invoked out of a renewed sense of utopian desire. In their essay,
they mention the works of three artists whose works reimagine utopia, while lacking the tools to
Meta-modernism: Renewed Hope

perceive it and realizing it can never be realized. They claim that hope is natural to humans, and
that it is a skill that needs to be mastered and fought for (Akker & Vermeulen, 2015, p.65). This
concept adheres to kant’s philosophy of history which claims to move for the sake of moving,
making attempts in spite of inevitable failure and going toward an unknown goal in order to
progress morally and politically. (Akker & Vermeulen, 2015, p.66) I agree with the perception that
meta-modernism has created a unique feeling that people can attain perfection, it has created an
urge to move forward because of emotional necessity. We need to push forward and do
something, even if all we see is failure.

Martin Paul Eve (2012) however, offers harsh criticism on the arguments presented by Akker and
Vermeulen, he focuses on the shift from postmodernism to a revived and ethically acceptable
perception outlined by meta-modernism. Paul Eve focuses on the literatures of David Foster
Wallace and Thomas Pynchon, and argues that meta-modernism does not stipulate total success,
but rather offers hope for an upgrade. (Paul Eve, 2012, p.8) Paul Eve shows that meta-modernism
is supposed to offer people a feeling of optimism that there will eventually be progress. He offers a
critique of various rationales, such as Kant’s philosophy- stating that some of the ideas of meta-
modernism offers hope of something unknown and thus they are flawed (Paul Eve, 2012, p.11). I
personally do not agree with his argument because hope can be achieved through the unknown.
People believe that there will be something better even if they are not sure what it will be. His
critical review offers an interesting focus on meta-modernism, however, I believe that the critique is
incomprehensive. It is imperative to have a known goal, but that does not limit the essence of hope
in the unknown.

There seems to be an agreement between Solnit, Van Den Akker and Vermeulen on engagement
and creation in order to move forward towards a better future. These authors agree on hope being
a state of trust in the unknown in favor of progressing both morally and politically. However, Paul
Eve finds hope in meta-modernism but denies the actions in which it contributes to. The outlined
discussions shows that meta-modernism closely offers a sense of hope. This literature review is
not comprehensive since it does not clearly outline how to define the success of meta-modernism,
further investigation should show instances of hope and how they have transformed into actual
actions. This may incorporate the examination of art, music, performance, and literature, and how
works of art best described as belonging to meta-modernism differs from art of the past. Therefore,
further investigations should concentrate on a specific field, how art creates positive change in the
world.
Meta-modernism: Renewed Hope

References

Akker, R. V. & Vermeulen, T. (2015) ‘Utopia, sort of: A case study in metamodernism’,
Studia Neophilologica 87, 55-67. Available at:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/276090873_Utopia_Sort_of_A_Case_Study_in_Metamodernism
(Accessed: 7th March 2018).

Eve, M. P. (2012) ‘Thomas Pynchon, David Foster Wallace and the problems of
“metamodernism”: post-millennial post-postmodernism?’, C21 Literature, 1 (1), 7-15.
Available at: https://www.gylphi.co.uk/ojs/index.php/c21/article/view/155
(Accessed: 7th March 2018).

Solnit, R. (2016) Hope In The Dark: untold Histories, wild possibilities, Third Edition.
Chicago, Illinois: Haymarket Books.
Meta-modernism: Renewed Hope

Bibliography

Akker, R. V. & Vermeulen, T. (2015) ‘Utopia, sort of: A case study in metamodernism’,
Studia Neophilologica 87, 55-67. Available at:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/276090873_Utopia_Sort_of_A_Case_Study_in_Metamodernism
(Accessed: 7th March 2018).

Bunnell, N. (2015) ‘Oscillating from a Distance: A Study of Metamodernism In Theory and Practice’
Undergraduate Journal of Humanistic Studies, Vol 1. 1-8.
Available at: https://apps.carleton.edu/ujhs/assets/ENGL_Bunnell_FINAL.pdf
(Accessed: 7th March 2018).

Eve, M. P. (2012) ‘Thomas Pynchon, David Foster Wallace and the problems of
“metamodernism”: post-millennial post-postmodernism?’, C21 Literature, 1 (1), 7-15.
Available at: https://www.gylphi.co.uk/ojs/index.php/c21/article/view/155
(Accessed: 7th March 2018).

MacDowell, J. (2010) ‘Notes on Quirky’, 1-16.

Available at: http://www.academia.edu/7754283/Notes_on_Quirky_2010_
(Accessed: 7th March 2018).

Solnit, R. (2016) Hope In The Dark: untold Histories, wild possibilities, Third Edition.
Chicago, Illinois: Haymarket Books.