Exploring the Lost Generation, a group of American writers who critiqued post-WWI society and the American Dream. Their works, like 'The Great Gatsby' and 'Babbitt', reveal the disillusionment with materialism, the emptiness of success, and the dangers of idealism. This literary movement encapsulates the spirit of the era, offering insight into the human experience during a time of profound change.
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Gertrude Stein and Ernest Hemingway are credited with coining and popularizing the term "Lost Generation."
Industrialization and World War I
The Lost Generation was heavily influenced by the transformative effects of industrialization and the trauma of World War I
Spanish Influenza Pandemic and Great Depression
The Lost Generation also experienced the devastating effects of the Spanish Influenza pandemic and the economic turmoil of the Great Depression, which further shaped their perspectives
The literature of the Lost Generation often reflects a critical view of pre-war societal values and a sense of alienation and disillusionment with the world they inherited
The Lost Generation's works often critique the materialism and excesses of the 1920s, which they saw as a betrayal of the sacrifices made during the war
The Lost Generation writers were skeptical of the American Dream, as the economic and social upheavals of the early 20th century exposed its fragility
The Lost Generation also critiques the naive idealism of youth, which often clashed with the post-war reality and led to tragic consequences
The works of the Lost Generation are now recognized as classics and have had a significant impact on literature and cultural discourse
The themes explored by the Lost Generation, such as materialism, the American Dream, and the pitfalls of idealism, continue to engage readers and offer insight into the human experience during times of societal change
The legacy of the Lost Generation persists, as their literature serves as a poignant reflection on the search for meaning in the aftermath of conflict and societal upheaval
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Defining era for the Lost Generation
Post-WWI period marked by industrialization, 1918 flu pandemic, Great Depression.
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Lost Generation's birth period
Predominantly late 19th century, shaping their experiences and perspectives.
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Literary themes of the Lost Generation
Alienation, critique of pre-war values, disillusionment with inherited world.
