Modernist writers proclaimed a new "subject matter" for literature and they felt that their new way of looking at life required a new form, a new way of writing. Writers of this period tend to pursue more experimental and usually more highly individualistic forms of writing. The sense of a changing world was stimulated by radical new developments, such as:
* new insights from the emerging fields of psychology and sociology
* anthropological studies of comparative religion
* new theories of electromagnetism and quantum physics
* a growing critique of British imperialism and the ideology of empire
* the growing force of doctrines of racial superiority in Germany
* the escalation of warfare to a global level
* shifting power structures, particularly as women enter the work force
* the emergence of a new "city consciousness"
* new information technologies such as radio and cinema
* the advent of mass democracy and the rise of mass communication
* fin-de-siècle ["end-of-the-century"] consciousness
Some other characteristics of Modern Poetry:
* Development of science and technology
* Rapid industrialization and urbanization
* Expression in trade, commerce and economic activities
* Lack of faith on religion and critical outlook towards life
* Spread of education and literature
* Rise and growth of middle-class
* Women empowerment
* Acute frustration and pessimism
* Experimental tendency in art and literature
* Dominance of various ‘isms’ like imagism, Dadaism, symbolism, realism etc.
* Complexity and obscurity in thought and expression
* Rejection of orthodoxy
* Psychological approach
* Over materialism and lack of spiritualism
