ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE
International scientific-online conference
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AN ANALYSIS OF DISILLUSIONMENT IDENTITY AND CULTURAL
IMPACT IN AMERICAN LITERATURE OF THE LOST GENERATION
Kurbonova Shakhlo Shukhratovna
Senior teacher Doctor of Philosophy in philology.
Tashkent State University of Law Foreign Languages Department.
Contact: +998943333371
Email: shakhlokurbonova15@gmail.com
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14799341
Abstract
The Lost Generation refers to a group of American writers and artists who
came of age during World War I, experiencing profound disillusionment and a
search for meaning in the aftermath of the war. This article examines the key
characteristics, themes, and influential figures of this literary movement,
highlighting its lasting impact on American literature and culture.
The term "Lost Generation" was popularized by Gertrude Stein and later
adopted by writers such as Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald to
describe their contemporaries who felt alienated from the values of mainstream
American society. This group of expatriate writers grappled with the moral and
existential crises that emerged in the wake of World War I, producing works that
resonate with themes of discontent, identity, and the critique of materialism.
The historical backdrop of the Lost Generation is essential for
understanding its literature. The devastation of World War I led to a widespread
questioning of traditional values and a profound sense of disillusionment. The
war shattered the idealism of previous generations, leaving many writers feeling
disconnected from the society that had sent them to fight. This disconnection
was compounded by the cultural shifts of the 1920s, which saw the rise of
consumerism and a new social order.
Key Characteristics
1. Expatriate Experience
Many members of the Lost Generation chose to live abroad, particularly in
Paris, where they sought creative freedom and community among like-minded
individuals. This expatriate experience influenced their writing, as they often
explored themes of alienation and identity in a foreign context. The city became
a sanctuary for artists and writers, allowing them to escape the constraints of
American society while grappling with their own disillusionment.
2. Innovative Literary Techniques
ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE
International scientific-online conference
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The Lost Generation writers employed innovative narrative techniques and
styles that reflected their existential concerns. Stream-of-consciousness,
fragmented narratives, and sparse prose characterized their works, allowing for
a more profound exploration of the human psyche. This stylistic
experimentation paved the way for modernist literature and challenged
traditional storytelling conventions.
3. Themes of Discontent and Identity
The literature of the Lost Generation is marked by a deep sense of
discontent and a quest for identity. Characters often face existential crises,
struggling to find meaning in a world that seems indifferent to their struggles.
Works such as Hemingway's
The Sun Also Rises
and Fitzgerald's
The Great Gatsby
illustrate these themes, depicting protagonists who grapple with their identities
amid the chaos of their surroundings.
Influential Figures
1. F. Scott Fitzgerald
F. Scott Fitzgerald emerged as one of the most significant voices of the Lost
Generation. His novel
The Great Gatsby
critiques the American Dream, exploring
themes of aspiration, love, and the moral decay of society. Fitzgerald's lyrical
prose and keen observations of human behavior highlight the contradictions of a
society obsessed with wealth and status.
2. Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway's distinctive writing style, characterized by brevity and
emotional depth, resonates strongly with the Lost Generation ethos. His works
often reflect themes of loss, courage, and the search for authenticity in a
disenchanted world. Novels such as
A Farewell to Arms
offer poignant insights
into the effects of war, while
The Sun Also Rises
captures the struggles of
expatriates seeking purpose in a post-war reality.
3. Gertrude Stein
Gertrude Stein played a crucial role as both a writer and a literary mentor
to many Lost Generation figures. Her avant-garde style and emphasis on
language challenged conventional narratives and encouraged writers to explore
new forms of expression. Stein's works, including
Three Lives
, delve into the
complexities of identity and the nature of perception.
The Lost Generation profoundly shaped American literature, introducing
themes of discontent, identity, and the critique of materialism that continue to
resonate today. Through their innovative techniques and exploration of the
human condition, these writers articulated the struggles of a generation
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grappling with the aftermath of war and the search for meaning in an ever-
changing world. The legacy of the Lost Generation endures, influencing
contemporary literature and inspiring new generations of writers to explore the
complexities of existence.
References:
1.
Fitzgerald, F. S. (1925). The Great Gatsby. Charles Scribner's Sons.
2.
Hemingway, E. (1929). A Farewell to Arms. Charles Scribner's Sons.
3.
Stein, G. (1914). Three Lives. A. A. Knopf.
4.
Eliot, T. S. (1922). The Waste Land. Boni and Liveright
