As new discoveries were found and explored within the roots of science and technology during the time of WWI, most writers rebelled against the old belief and understanding of everything that had to do with human expression and thought. Thus, most writers responded to their contemporary world by portraying a new style in their writing. This passage taken from the "Blast: Long Live the Vortex," demonstrates how “THE UNCONSCIOUSNESS OF HUMANITY” was a central topic for writers to interpret their new perception of the individual and its reaction to technology and science. They explored the individual mind without taking in the old romantic and classical influences from the past along with the notion of avoiding futuristic ideals taken from these new changes. Clearly, it seemed to be a very challenging action as these new interpretations brought both shock and controversy to the public eye.
Their new interpretation in writing was greatly influenced by the science of psychology. Thus, this mentioned “unconsciousness” was used to create a new understanding of the human mind. Not only through this unconsciousness could one reveal the real visage of the individual, but it also allowed the artist to capture it with straightness and without any fabrication or imagination that would obscure that true perception. Therefore, the words “stupidity, animalism, and dreams,” are introduced to explain how the unconsciousness accepts every flaw and quality the human mind is composed of. The concept of raising the mind to a higher level, by limiting it, or even by deriving it into another dimension, is not accepted by this new unconsciousness. The artist’s only intent is to obtain the raw truth and portray it as it is. It seems understandable for writers in this period of time to take this method when looking at how fast the world around them was changing. To avoid a loss of focus amongst these new changes, most fought for the present and for humanity to stay unchangeable and intact; “to remain independent and work unconsciously.”
The problem with this notion, however, is how this unconsciousness was supposed to be when the world was going through many vast changes. Since these writers wanted no influence from the past or future, then what made their present? It seemed they were up against a battle about what the past meant to remove it from their sound present, and prevent it from being influenced by the future. This demand sounds almost impossible, for both periods of time reflect many of the flaws that made these writers revolutionize their expressions in paper. Therefore, the only concrete word they seemed to accept was the human unconsciousness, which was different from the past and future ideals. They believed that unconsciousness was the key to stabalize their present and prevent big change. In my belief, this unconsciousness, as liberal as it sounded, still had the inability for the human mind to stay intact and not change. First, the past has greatly influenced all human civilizations and it will always be there if we look at how we think, believe, and live. Second, if the mind follows this unconsciousness, it is still inevitable for the mind not to react and obtain new ideas or feelings it can come to experience. Lastly, since these writers rejected romantic interpretations in their writing, how could this unconsciousness be described when this term describes the human “stupidity, animalism, and dreams”? Although it seems liberating to take on this unconsciousness, we might still find many limitations and flaws that are not much different from the ones seen in the past and future.
The problem with this notion, however, is how this unconsciousness was supposed to be when the world was going through many vast changes. Since these writers wanted no influence from the past or future, then what made their present? It seemed they were up against a battle about what the past meant to remove it from their sound present, and prevent it from being influenced by the future. This demand sounds almost impossible, for both periods of time reflect many of the flaws that made these writers revolutionize their expressions in paper. Therefore, the only concrete word they seemed to accept was the human unconsciousness, which was different from the past and future ideals. They believed that unconsciousness was the key to stabalize their present and prevent big change. In my belief, this unconsciousness, as liberal as it sounded, still had the inability for the human mind to stay intact and not change. First, the past has greatly influenced all human civilizations and it will always be there if we look at how we think, believe, and live. Second, if the mind follows this unconsciousness, it is still inevitable for the mind not to react and obtain new ideas or feelings it can come to experience. Lastly, since these writers rejected romantic interpretations in their writing, how could this unconsciousness be described when this term describes the human “stupidity, animalism, and dreams”? Although it seems liberating to take on this unconsciousness, we might still find many limitations and flaws that are not much different from the ones seen in the past and future.
This is a well done response. You explain your points thoroughly; however, I would like to see you engage the literature we read in class a bit more.
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