In 1947, Theodor Adorno and Max Horkheimer published 'Dialectic of Enlightenment,' a critical examination of the Enlightenment's legacy. They argued that the rational pursuit of knowledge and mastery had paradoxically led to forms of domination and the 'culture industry,' which commodifies culture. Their work has had a profound impact on critical theory, influencing discussions on culture, society, and the implications of modernity in the post-World War II era.

The publication of 'Dialectic of Enlightenment' by Theodor Adorno and Max Horkheimer in 1947 informed the aesthetics of late Modernist poetry. Their critique of mass culture resonated with poets seeking to resist commodification and explore complex social issues in their works.