During the 20th century, a new term was used to classify literature and it was called modernism. Modernism is not easily reduced to one or two characteristics because two writers can have different styles and still be modernists. TS Elliot and William Carlos Williams are a perfect example of the different styles of modernism. The reason these two were able to differ so greatly might have to do with their different origins. With all the variations in style and written themes, how do you properly summarize modernism? The written works of the 20th century cannot be summarized by simply looking at one or two different characteristics. Modernism is “a term that more clearly suggests the sharp disagreements, the multiplicity of styles, and the plurality of movements within the vast revolution in the arts” (Belasco, Johnson 529). Modernism was the revolution in the arts that addressed current issues facing the United States and Europe. Different poetic styles were experimented with, notably those from the East. The different poetic styles as well as the different problems faced by each poet are easily seen in their work. The only thing the different poets could agree on was "the necessity of poetry, its vital role in culture and society." (Belasco, Johnson 530). Summarizing modernism is not an easy task because of all their differences in the movement, but at the same time that is also why it is easy to explain. Modernism was the style that dealt with current social problems, made it possible to implement new ideals, use styles from different countries and move away from old exploitations...... middle of paper .... .. why he wrote the way he did. The style that Williams was trying to advance was probably never taught in the schools Elliot attended, which may also have been a contributing factor. These two men wanted to give more importance to poetry and they succeeded, but in different ways. Modernism was a style of writing that focused on many different things. Ultimately, the goal was to replace old ideals with new and relevant ones. Writers such as Williams and Elliot did just that by writing in a way that deviated from the norm and, in doing so, moved things forward. They carried out their work in different ways, probably due to the influence of their past. Those who may have had problems with each other, it still allowed poetry to become more important in the 20th century..