Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
William Carlos Williams was an American poet who played a significant role in modernist literature. His works often focused on ordinary subjects and used vivid imagery to capture moments from everyday life.
Related terms
Modernism: A literary movement characterized by experimentation with form, fragmented narratives, and unconventional storytelling techniques.
The use of descriptive language or sensory details (sight, sound, taste, touch, smell) to create vivid mental images for readers.
Free Verse Poetry: Poetry that does not follow traditional rhyme schemes or metrical patterns but instead relies on natural speech rhythms and line breaks.