Characteristics of Modernism in Jewel in the Crown and Heart of DarknessA modern novel, Jewel in the Crown, by Paul Scott, describes the final stages of the erosion of imperialism and explores through the lives of individuals and their relationships as a symbol of wider social conflicts and political events. Jewel was written well into the 20th century and employs thematic concepts and literary forms characteristic of Modernism, as well as being significant in its literary-historical context of the decline of British imperialism/postcolonialism in India. to which 20th century literature responded in ways generally known as “modernism” are: a growing awareness of a variety of cultures that had different but compelling worldviews; the exploitation of other cultures and races, and a society built on power and greed” (Lye, 1996). The fact that modern literature has explored these themes with more control, candor and depth than previous literary eras. “This is the story of the rape, of the events that led up to it and followed it, and of where it occurred” (Scott, 1966). The rape concerns a young British woman in colonial India, but so does Britain's rape of India, "the story... ended with the spectacle of two nations in violent opposition, not for the first time nor for the last time." for then they were still locked in an imperial embrace of such long duration and finesse that it was no longer possible for them to know whether they hated or loved the other, or what held them together and seemed to have confused the picture of their two destinies" (Scott , 1966).The events, interactions and feelings of Daphne, the woman in question, and those of the ot...... middle of the sheet....... For Crown Jewel and Heart of Darkness, the questions and criticisms of British imperialism are evoked metaphorically through the stories they tell, and thus interrelated in thematic theme, mark a specific period in time in British history. Works cited and consulted Agatucci, C. (2001, Survey). on British Literature.Central Oregon Community College.Damrosch, D., et al., ed. The Longman Anthology of British Literature: Compact Ed. 1996).Some Cultural Forces Driving Literary Modernism, (Department of English, Brock Univ.) 2F55: Modern Fiction. http://www.brocku.ca/english/courses/2F55/forces.htm [last accessed June 2001]. Scott, P. (1966). The jewel in the crown. vol. 1 of the Raj Quartet. Rpt. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1998.