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in what way have contemporary writers returned to the concerns or pre modernist writers?

Contemporary writers have returned to the concerns of pre-modernist writers by writing about the issues that pre-modern writers faced. This can be things like war, plagues, etc. Some contemporary writers have chosen to write books around these issues as it gives a sense of what people went through back then. Currently, we don't have to fear of war, a plague, or anything really. That aspect of pure terror and fear for you or your country has long been lost in some. So, contemporary writers choose to touch this aspect. 

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