The Lost Generation and the Roaring Twenties

 Overview

The term lost generation refers to individuals who have witnessed adulthood during their early lives because of the First World War as they noticed the collapse and degradation of human values and ethics. One of the most influential figures that shed light on this era is Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald and alongside other authors.

These figures highlighted the fading of inherited human values and morals they grew up with in the aftermath of the First World War. They felt the disillusionment and alienation from new societal values,as a result of the rapidly changing world, which created a sense of identity loss and a noticeable change in values and morals of the society, particularly in the United States of America.

In the 1920s, the lost generation authors depicted in their works from novels and books, a critique against the roaring twenties era and the American dream, which were characterized by the extreme surge of consumerism as well as the decline of traditional values and moral decay.

The Roaring Twenties and Literary Works Critiques 

The roaring twenties revolve around the post world war one era.This period was characterized by the considerable surge of new societal morals and values.

Many writers of this generation have experienced the world war first hand whether as soldiers or health care professionals.This historical event managed to have a profound effect on their personalities as well as literary works.

The 1920s were marked by huge economic growth, cultural change and mass media.Furthermore this era was defined by rise of consumerism, materialistic mindset and the development of technologies such as television, radio and cinema.

The aftermath of World war one also known as the great war left a sour taste in the mouths of many people,especially writers.who showcased their profound sense of loss,frustration and alienation from the society they lived in.Many of those writers expressed their feelings of disappointment and despair in their artworks.

Most of the 1920s artworks were a mirror of the American society at that time period which was designated as the “Roaring Twenties,” a period characterized by economic prosperity and moral changes as well as a widespread sense of optimism. This period marked an obvious contrast to the historical crisis of World War One.

One of the most important events of 1920s is is the emergence of the industrial revolution that had a deep impact on the united states of America as it managed to revolutionize numerous aspects of life and played a major role in further improving the economy as a result numerous people experienced far better living standards.The potion of households with electricity in the US rose from 12 % to more than 60 % in 1927.

The roaring twenties was marked by the emergence of many writers whose works depicted and shed light on that time period. figures like F. Scott Fitzgerald, who demonstrated the dark side of the iconic “American dream” notion in his novel “The Great Gatsby,” which highlights the illusion of the American dream where his main protagonist has a lust for success and wealth to integrate himself into high-class society.Gatsby's mindless pursuit of wealth and social status led him to stray away from moral values and created a sense of emptiness.

Bottomline

The roaring twenties were a turning point in the US as they brought various and considerable transformations to American society and changed the lifestyle of many people significantly.

Although the post-World War I era managed to incorporate many changes in the American societies, improving the living standards of numerous people,these changes contributed to the rise of an excessive consumerism mindset at the expense of morals and values which led to the creation of a shallow and superficial society.