SYMBOLISM AND THEMES IN 20TH CENTURY AMERICAN POETRY

Abstract

This article explores symbolism and major thematic concerns in 20th-century American poetry. American poets of this period employed rich symbolism to convey complex ideas about identity, society, politics, and the human experience. The study analyzes the works of key poets, including T.S. Eliot, Robert Frost, Langston Hughes, Emily Dickinson, Wallace Stevens, and Sylvia Plath, among others, emphasizing how symbolism reflects historical contexts, philosophical perspectives, and cultural transitions. The article also examines recurring themes such as alienation, modernity, war, nature, individualism, and existential inquiry, highlighting the interaction between literary form and thematic content. The analysis provides insights into the aesthetic, cultural, and socio-political significance of American poetry during the 20th century.