Realism, modernism and post modernism literature: some differences

Literary technique	Realism	Modernism
Plot	Structured Beginning, middle, end	Less planned Avoids "neat" conclusion
Narrative structures	Follows plot conventions Maintains reader/author barrier	New techniques e.g. stream of consciousness May require greater reader involvement
Characters	Recognizable Stress on character development	Less real characters Use of outsiders Few traditional heroes
Worldview	Assumes meaning to world Often based on Judeo-Christian ethical order	Expresses doubt about finding any meaning in life/world Move towards an individual ethical code Interest in political extremes
Language and style	Does not question ability of words to communicate ideas	Scepticism about ability of language to adequately reflect reality

Literary technique	Postmodernism
Plot	Little conventional story A story of fragments
Narrative structures	Experimental May break reader/author barrier Reminded that we are reading a story
Characters	Little attempt to create in-depth characters
Worldview	Extreme scepticism about any underlying pattern
Language and style	Extreme doubts about language to reflect reality