Jean Francois-Lyotard: His Post Modernism Explained (Modern Literary Theory)

REVISED AND UPDATED FOR 2024: It is no coincidence that postmodernism and Jean-François Lyotard have become very nearly synonymous in the twentieth century. Although it is true that postmodernism existed as a potent force in its own right before Lyotard came along, it was not until he published his seminal text The Postmodern Condition (1979; translated to English 1984) that the public at large had a ready and readable text that explained the basics of postmodernism. The "basics" of postmodernism are hardly basic since the movement is a massive and majestic one that has been evolving for decades. Though it has undeniable applicability to literature, postmodernism is a tent broad enough to encompass a myriad of disciplines. The term as used today tends to focus on such disparate fields as architecture, art, cinema, drama, philosophy and even to the "hard" sciences like geography and biology. Those who have only a superficial knowledge are likely to use it as a trendy conversation breaker at cocktail parties: "My, have you seen the latest Warhol art exhibit at MOMA? It is so postmodern!" While Warhol's art may indeed be postmodern, an appreciation of just how and why his art is so demands a far more detailed grasp of the "basics" than one might find on the college lecture circuit.