The Soldier's Home in Historical Context His Modernism is centered on the "Iceberg Theory," a concept he invented after being influenced by imagism, a twentieth-century poetry trend that stressed imagery, clarity, and crisp language. Ezra Pound was one of the first poets to advocate for imagistic approaches. Like many modernists, Wallace used simple language and direct speech to create a sense of immediacy between the reader/listener and the subject. Wallace also believed that art should make people think. His poems often focus on serious topics such as war, death, and loss while still being accessible to readers looking for entertainment and inspiration. Many of his poems are also autobiographical, so they offer a unique perspective on his life. In addition to being a poet, Wallace was also a professor of English literature at Ohio State University from 1919 to 1931. He then left academia to pursue other projects including writing novels and screenplays. Two of his most famous works are The Bridge Over Streams Deep and Wide and It's My Life. The Bridge Over Streams Deep and Wide is considered a classic novel about a young man who tries to find purpose and meaning in his life while facing adversity. It's My Life is a memoir written by Wallace when he was only 30 years old. The book explores themes such as creativity, individuality, and ambition as seen through the eyes of an adolescent boy.