The Time Period
The Contemporary Time Period includes the years dating back to the 1940's (plus or minus a few decades) to present time. The start of this period changes depending on the source looked at. During this period many events occurred that rattled and should America and the world. Events like the assassination of JFK, Hawaii and Alaska becoming states, Hurricane Katrina that devastated many in the area, and the 9/11 terrorist attack. Billy Collins, himself, was asked to write a poem to commemorate this day for the one year anniversary. Other events like the end of World War II and the Cold War happened during this Era, however Billy was only a baby and a growing child when these occurred.
The Literature
A course in Contemporary Literature at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Lake Mills Schools gives the characteristics of Contemporary Literature. Some of them include:
To get the full list from MIT CLICK HERE
and to get full list from Lake Mills CLICK HERE
A major point that relates to Billy Collins's writings is that it is written in everyday language. His poems are quite simple to understand.
- creating a relationship between the piece of literature and reality
- the struggle to find meaning in the world
- uses crossing the border as a fundamental human experience
- written in modern language that the everyday person can understand
- the writing has thought to it
- the ending is not always happy
To get the full list from MIT CLICK HERE
and to get full list from Lake Mills CLICK HERE
A major point that relates to Billy Collins's writings is that it is written in everyday language. His poems are quite simple to understand.