Periods and Influences
20th century American poetry evolved over the years and underwent several distinct phases, each of them developing their own style and approaches. At the beginning of the century the modernists developed a range of expressionist and avant-garde techniques, which questioned the limits of poetic language and structure. Imagists such as Ezra Pound and TS Eliot powerfully asserted the role of poetic language and formal structures in shaping meaning and producing effects.
The emergence of Beat poetry, associated with figures such as Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac, developed words and ideas in a more radical and innovative style, questioning popular cultural values and ideologies. With the evolution of Black Arts Poetry, the likes of Amiri Baraka, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Rita Dove actively explored themes around racial identity and cultural oppression, reframing American literature in a new and dynamic way.
The L=A=N=G=U=A=G=E Poets, led by Charles Bernstein and Bruce Andrews, developed language-based works exploring the boundaries between poetry, prose, and the arts. Movement poets such as Anne Sexton, Sharon Olds, and Alice Walker, explored the psychological and spiritual dimensions of a woman’s experience in their works.
The 1990s saw the emergence of lyrical poetics, associated with Pulitzer Prize-winners W. S. Merwin and Kay Ryan in particular. This period of poetry is known for its narrativity, economy of language, and precision of thought.
Later Emergence
The late twentieth century also saw the emergence of the Neo-Futurism movement in American poetry. Led by Chicago poets, Neo-Futurism sought to combine the formal techniques and approaches of modernism with the innovative techniques of beat and language poetry.
Today, American poetry is undergoing a moment of increased visibility and vibrancy. Notable contemporary poets include Cornelius Eady, Terrance Hayes and Tracy K. Smith who have been moving American poetry in bold new directions. These poets blend the influences of their predecessors to craft a new and emerging language that speaks to contemporary America.
Growth of Popularity
20th century American poetry is one of the most widely discussed and influential literary movements of the last hundred years. The works of these poets have shaped the way we think, feel, speak and write. From Modernism to Neo-Futurism, these writers have played an integral role in redefining what poetry can be and can do.
Recent years have seen a surge in the popularity of poetry. Magazines such as The New Yorker and the Paris Review now feature the work of contemporary poets, while libraries and bookstores are dedicated to stocking their works. Poets compete in national slams, while university degree courses study them in depth.
Significance of 20th Century Poets
20th century American poets opened up the possibilities of expression by disregarding the traditional poetic conventions of structure and form. Their poems explore the beauty of the language, evoke powerful emotions, reflect profound political and social issues, and create new ways of looking at life and the world.
Whether it is the darkly surreal visions of Ginsberg, the intricate compositions of Eliot, or the lyrical depth of Sexton and Walker, the works of 20th century poets remain vibrant and engaging. These writers continue to impact and shape the direction of modern American poetry.
Forms of Expression
The works of 20th century American poets explore a vast range of subjects, styles, and techniques. From the imagist techniques of Eliot to the confessional style of Sexton, these poets crafted powerful works that touched on complex and emotive themes. They ranged from the metaphysical musings of Wallace Stevens, to the playful imagery of e.e. cummings.
The range of poetic forms and techniques utilised in 20th century American poetry is astonishing. From free verse to haiku, these poets found new ways of making words express feelings and ideas in vivid, powerful ways. They explored traditional forms such as the sonnet, villanelle and ode to create new and innovative works that resonated with a new generation of readers.
The Language of Poetry
20th century American poets sought to redefine the power of language in a world increasingly filled with mechanised gadgets, mass media and technology. Their works are marked by an insistence on precision and poetic economy, utilising the resources of language to evoke powerful images and subtle emotions. These poets also sought to raise awareness of the power of words and the potential of language to evoke new realities.
The language of 20th century American poetry has been described as both incisive and lyrical, targeting the reader with a keen, yet poetic eye. In a society often filled with frenetic energy, these poets sought to slow down the tempo of life, if only for a moment, by crafting works that emphasised the beauty and power of words.
Poetry in the 21st Century
The legacy of 20th century American poets continues to shape the face of poetry today. Contemporary poets such as Tracy K. Smith, Terrance Hayes and Cornelius Eady have taken up the torch and illuminated the poetry scene with their works. New social platforms and apps are increasing awareness of contemporary poetry and making it more accessible to a wider audience than ever before.
The works of 20th century American poets continue to inspire new and exciting works, as well as open up dialogue about the significance of language and the power of poetic expression. In an ever-changing world, these writers are still paving the way for new generations of poets to discover their own voices.
