Question

Consider the changes in literary style during the modern era. Modernist writers explored new literary techniques, such as free verse, and broke from traditional literary customs. Research a writer from the modern era and describe the writer's literary style and technique.
Why do you think American writers of subsequent literary periods often choose to break from traditions and seek more freedom in their artistic expression? Are writers justified in challenging the artistic status quo? Why or why not?

Answer 1

I choose T.S. Eliot who was a modern era American-English poet, playwright, literary critic, editor, and a leader of the Modernist movement in poetry. He experimented in English poetry writing styles and changed the format in essay writing. He was probably one of the most famous poets of his time. Eliot’s masterpiece is Four Quartets, which was issued as a book in 1943, though each “quartet” is a complete poem. In 1948, he received the Nobel Prize for Literature. Eliot had an immense influence as a poet and a critic in the United States and in Great Britain. Eliot was unequaled by any other 20th-century poet in the ways in which he commanded the attention of his audience.

Answer 2

American writers often break from literary tradition because, the audience always wants something new, surprising, unusual, etc. Like anything else on this world Authors change. I believe that writers are justified in challenging the status quo because literacy is an art, and like any kind of art it evolves and changes creating new things. Any attempt to stop change is simply wrong and  insult against creativity.