Much of the literature written from 1900 to 1909 has been forgotten, but not because it is forgettable literature. Much of what was written during the decade was robust and clear. Social problems were addressed — sometimes with subtle irony, often with forceful statement. Writers of different ethnic and racial backgrounds who held a variety of philosophies contributed generously to the national literary output. The term twilight, used by E. C. Stedman to refer to the literary atmosphere of the early 1900s, is as ambiguous as the intermediate state it defines. Twilight can be that period of day between sunset and full night or between sunrise and full day — the question present-day readers will answer for themselves is whether the literary twilight at the turn of the century was a dusk or a dawn.

Sources:

Amy Ling, "Edith Eaton: Pioneer Chinamerican and Feminist," in American Literary...