Sunday, August 31, 2008

Modernism vs. Postmodernism

In The Rudy Elmenhusrt Story, the character of Yolanda is the best example of the differences in modernism and postmodernism. In the story she is the perfect contrast of the postmodern antagonist, Rudy Elmenhurst. For instance, Yolanda has a perception of right an wrong, when she talks of how a guy should talk in front of a female. She says, " If my father had heard a man use such obscenities before his daughters, he would have asked him to step outside, where he would have defended my honor." In addition, in the beginning of the story, Yolanda would never allow Rudy to stay the night in her room, she would frequently say, "You've got to go, Rudy." Both instances exhibit her modernistic views in her believing that not only is there a right and wrong way for a guy to speak in front of a woman, but also it is not right for a guy to shack up with a girl. In the modernism perspective there are distinct actions which are right and wrong, and clearly Yolanda has these same beliefs.