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14 The Lost Generation

The Lost Generation refers to a group of American writers disillusioned by World War I, who rejected traditional values and sought new forms of expression. Key authors include Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Steinbeck, William Faulkner, and Erich Maria Remarque, whose works explore themes of disillusionment, materialism, and social injustice. Their literary contributions continue to influence American literature and reflect the cultural shifts of the early 20th century.

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29 views2 pages

14 The Lost Generation

The Lost Generation refers to a group of American writers disillusioned by World War I, who rejected traditional values and sought new forms of expression. Key authors include Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Steinbeck, William Faulkner, and Erich Maria Remarque, whose works explore themes of disillusionment, materialism, and social injustice. Their literary contributions continue to influence American literature and reflect the cultural shifts of the early 20th century.

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versvacinova
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The Lost generation

The Lost Generation refers to a group of American writers who came of age during or
shortly after World War I. Disillusioned by the horrors of war, they rejected the traditions of
the older generation and sought new values and forms of expression.

The term "Lost Generation" is attributed to Gertrude Stein, who reportedly overheard a
French garage owner criticizing his young employee by saying, "You are all a lost
generation." Stein shared this phrase with Ernest Hemingway, who popularized it in his
novel "The Sun Also Rises “

Key Characteristics

 Disillusionment with traditional values

 Decadence and self-indulgent lifestyles

 Distorted visions of the American Dream

 Exploration of gender roles and identity

Literary Themes and Style

 The impact of war on individuals and society

 The emptiness of materialism and wealth

 The search for meaning in a changing world

 Experimental narrative techniques and modernist styles

Notable Authors

Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961)

 Known for his concise writing style and "iceberg theory"

 Notable works: "The Sun Also Rises," "A Farewell to Arms," "For Whom the Bell Tolls “

 Won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954 for "The Old Man and the Sea"

F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940)

 Chronicler of the Jazz Age and American wealth

 Notable works: "The Great Gatsby," "This Side of Paradise," "Tender Is the Night"

 His works often depict lavish parties and the pursuit of the American Dream
John Steinbeck (1902-1968)

 Focused on social injustice and the struggles of working-class Americans

 Notable works: "Of Mice and Men," "The Grapes of Wrath," "East of Eden"

 Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1962

William Faulkner (1897-1962)

 Considered the greatest white writer of Southern literature

 Notable works: "The Sound and the Fury," "As I Lay Dying," "Absalom, Absalom!"

 Received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1949 and two Pulitzer Prizes

Erich Maria Remarque (1898-1970)

 German novelist associated with the Lost Generation themes

 Known for his powerful anti-war novels and realistic portrayal of soldiers'
experiences

 Notable works: "All Quiet on the Western Front," "The Road Back," "Three
Comrades"

 "All Quiet on the Western Front" became an international bestseller and was
adapted into an Academy Award-winning film

Their works continue to be influential in American literature, offering profound insights into
the social and cultural changes of the early 20th century.

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