Herland: How it relates to Modernism

Herland was written in 1915, during the Modernism era. Throughout the book, there are elements of modernism which can be seen as well. Three specific elements can be seen. The first is the idea of making things new. The next is freedom and wanting to leave. The last is feminism in the book.

During the Modernism era, people wanted to create a new style of writing, riding the old writing. In Herland, there is a shift in society from the old normal society of the world to the utopian one of Herland. The new one seems better than the normal one because everyone is connected and loved with no problems like poverty and disease. There is a communal living and equality to the society. Shown through the main characters, they want their own society to change to the opposite one. Like Modernism, the characters want a change.

The next aspect of Modernism shown through Herland is freedom. During the era, freedom is a reoccurring theme in the books. In this particular book, constantly, there is an idea of being free. Terry, one of the men, wants to escape Herland since their arrival after his imprisonment with the women. Also, the women continue to question the men about their history and society, showing that they are interested in a different way of living. The three men also learn about Herland and begin to enjoy living there. Van and Jeff both become accustomed to the country and because of their liking of the country, there is a curiosity and enjoyment of the different world, which would be a change from their normal. The changes are all a freedom from the norm of before.

The last aspect to look at is the feminism throughout Modernism and also shown in this book. Throughout the Modernism era, women were beginning to take a more important role and voice in society. The fact that this book has an island full of women and showing that the all women society is a utopia shows that the book expresses how women are important. This utopia is almost perfect enough that men want to live within it and emulate it. This tries to show that women can be a better gender on their own, showing a feminist movement.