Other Poets of the Modern Era

As you have learned, the Modernist era is characterized by a strong emphasis on bold experimentation and reflection of the fragmentation of society. With Ezra Pound's rousing battle cry to "Make it new!" ringing in the ears of Modernist poets, it is no wonder that the poetry of the era was so vastly different. However, not all poetry from the time period was blatantly "Modernist." That is to say, not all Modernist poets followed Pound's Imagism rules so strictly. Poets like Robert Frost and Carl Sandburg instead followed a less strict adherence to the ideals and characteristics of Modernism.

Elements of Modernist Poetry

Modernist poets radically challenged not only the traditional forms and style of poetry but also the very way in which they perceived culture, history, and the entire world. Poets discarded the formality and structures of poetry from their literary forbearers with the use of free verse, common language structures, and non-traditional forms. However, the split from tradition goes further with the content of the poetry as well. The modern man of the early 20th century lived in an unstable world of chaos where he experienced a complete collapse of morality and values brought about by World War I, the rapid technological and industrial advances, and the Great Depression.

What were the elements of Modernist poetry, and how did developments during the early 20th century influence these characteristics? In this interactivity, click the checkboxes from the clipboard to examine a list of elements characteristic of Modernist poetry in more detail.

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Robert Frost

No study of Modern writers would be complete without a look at Robert Frost (1874–1963). He is considered one of the most loved and respected poets because he so strongly displayed the rugged determinism of New Englanders in his poetry. He received four Pulitzer Prizes, a success that he had worked hard to achieve. Although Frost was born in San Francisco, after the death of his father when Frost was eleven years old, he spent the rest of his childhood in Massachusetts. He attended Dartmouth College but dropped out to work as a farmer and a journalist. Frost dreamed of supporting himself as a poet, so he spent several years in England where he worked with Ezra Pound and successfully published two volumes of poetry. When he returned to New England, he found that his fame had spread to America. He wrote poetry, taught and lectured at universities, and farmed. Frost's poetry was popular with critics and the public because he used traditional forms paired with conversational language that painted memorable portraits of New England life. His poetry could be read and understood by anyone, yet beneath the simplicity, he colored his poems with deep and compelling meanings.

Carl Sandburg

Carl Sandburg (1878–1967) was one of the most popular poets of his time because his poetry celebrated the lives of ordinary Americans. Sandburg's poems captured the spirit of industrial America with vivid images of the working class. Simultaneously, his poetry was hopeful, a tribute to the struggles and dreams of the poor. Sandburg was the son of Swedish immigrants and was raised in Galesburg, Illinois. In eighth grade, he dropped out of school to earn money for his family, but at nineteen he left to see the country by hitching rides on trains. By 1912, after serving in the army, attending college for a bit, traveling, and working odd jobs, he settled in Chicago and began making his living as a reporter and then as a poet. His poetry had already won him widespread recognition by 1916. He spent the rest of his life writing poetry, lecturing on Walt Whitman and Abraham Lincoln, and collecting folk songs. Sandburg was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for his biography of Abraham Lincoln, another Pulitzer Prize for a volume of poetry, and the United States Presidential Medal for his literary contributions. Sandburg's poetry was concrete, direct, and showed an optimistic belief that ordinary Americans could achieve their dreams.

Poetry Analysis

What subjects are discussed in the poetry of Robert Frost and Carl Sandburg? Take a moment now to review these six poems representative of Modernist poetry. In this interactivity, click on each of the tabs to examine the poems in further detail.

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Poetry of Frost and Sandburg Review

Now that you have explored the Modernist poetry of Robert Frost and Carl Sandburg, review your knowledge in this non-graded activity. Read each question and select the appropriate answer. Click on the player button get started.