5 POETS WHO CHANGED AMERICAN POETRY

America has a rich literary history, with some of the prolific poets of the 19th and 20th centuries. American literature is a body of poetry unfettered by time or fashion, and has become the idol and inspiration for many poets in America and worldwide. Their writings have changed the poetry genres and introduced a new one that is widely accepted all over the world. 

Also, American writers are popular because they write about nature, society, the human condition, religion, and many other topics that resonate with people. Different poetry essay examples show the American style of writing in their work. There is also an essay about poetry analysis. The analysis demonstrates the command of the English Language and critiques contemporary issues. 

Famous Poets Who Changed American Poetry

The following entails the top poets who impacted American Poetry. 

Walt Whitman

Walt Whitman started his poetry career in the early 19th century. In 1855, he published his first manuscript, “Leaves on Grass .”The book changed American Poetry and the world at Large. He mostly writes his pieces using free verse, and his work showcases the typical character of the American people. 

Also, he was the first poet to honor the diversity of the American people in age, gender, ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation. His other editions of ” Leaves on Grass” changed American poetry in the 20th and 21st Centuries. 

Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou is one of the great American poets who wrote to defend the blacks in the United States. Her creative essays, poetry, and television show depicts American history and prejudices against African heritage. Most of her writings inspired an exponential rise in black feminist biographies. She was the second poet to recite her poems publicly after Robert Frost. 

Also, Maya’s works are being used in schools, libraries, and universities. Although, some individuals are advocating for the removal of her work in schools. Her poem, “I Know Why a Caged Bird Sing,” is cited as an influential American literature work. 

Robert Frost

Robert Frost is a popular poet who draws his inspiration from rural life. Most of his works examine complex contemporary issues. His work was highly celebrated during his time. He was born in California before moving to New England when he was 11 years old. He published his first work, “A Boys’ Will” when he started residing in England. 

Also, Robert taught English classes at Amherst College. He is simultaneously an English teacher and a poet. Most of his works depict the human condition. His poetry style shifts between the traditional European form and American freestyle. 

Emily Dickson

Emily Dickson is one of the famous American poets that have her works published. During her lifetime, she published 11 poems and wrote over 1777 poems. Today, she is one of the most celebrated American poets. She introduced the use of eye rhyme and slight rhymes in her poetry pieces, which is one of the reasons why university students popularly use her work. Her work aids literature learning in school, and as such, it is popular among students. 

Also, Emily Dickson often writes about her innermost passions, feelings, and torments. She was the forerunner of the 20th century of modernist poets. Her poems deal with complex issues and themes. There are several essays on Emily Dickinson poetry online. Her works are unique and creative. An overview of her work is her questioning God’s existence and her fear of the Afterlife. 

Gertrude Stein

Gertrude Stein is another prominent figure in the world of literature. She was born into a Pennsylvania family. For most of her childhood, she is usually seen reading works of Wordsworth and Shakespeare. 

Most of her writings always advise against gender discrimination. Her literary style is experimental, and she uses a technique called “Stream of Consciousness. Her works focused on sexuality, lesbian relationships, and coming out stories. Because of this, her work generated lots of controversies. 

Conclusion

These five writers are just an overview of the poetic accomplishments within American literature. They created a path for new audiences, genres, prose, and themes that embodied their and the American experience. Their works are widely accepted because they focus their poetry on reviving society. They also depict human behavior and worries in their works. Lastly, they changed the perspective of poetry in schools. 

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Ivan Vassiliev

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