European International Journal of Philological Sciences
46
https://eipublication.com/index.php/eijps
TYPE
Original Research
PAGE NO.
49-51
DOI
OPEN ACCESS
SUBMITED
14 April 2025
ACCEPTED
20 May 2025
PUBLISHED
17 June 2025
VOLUME
Vol.05 Issue 06 2025
COPYRIGHT
© 2025 Original content from this work may be used under the terms
of the creative commons attributes 4.0 License.
The Consequences of The
First World War and The
Formation Of The “Lost
Generation” Phenomenon
Muhabbat Qodirova
Researcher (PhD Student), Department of Practical English Course, Jizzakh
State Pedagogical University, Uzbekistan
Abstract
: This article analyzes the consequences of the
First World War and the resulting emergence of the
phenomenon known as the “Lost Generation.” The war
affected not only political and economic spheres but
also had a profound impact on human psychology and
social consciousness. The article explores how the
concept of the “Lost Generation” took shape through
literature, art, and social attitudes, shedding light on the
worldview and outlook on life of this generation. It
highlights post-war societal changes within a historical
and cultural context.
Keywords:
First World War, Lost Generation, trauma,
human psyche, war consequences, modernism, society.
Introduction:
The First World War, which lasted from
1914 to 1918, was a global conflict and one of the most
devastating wars in history, involving many of the
world’s major powers. The causes of the war were
complex and multifaceted, stemming from a
combination of political, economic, and social factors
that contributed to the outbreak of hostilities. Likewise,
the consequences of the war were extensive and
significantly influenced the course of history. For
decades, the major European powers had been engaged
in an arms race, amassing military strength and
weaponry. This militaristic mindset created an unstable
environment with a high probability of conflict.
On July 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the
Austro-Hungarian Empire, arrived in Sarajevo, the
capital of Bosnia, to observe military exercises. This was
not just a casual visit. July 28 was a day of mourning for
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European International Journal of Philological Sciences
the Serbs, and holding military exercises near Serbia’s
borders on that particular day was a clear provocation.
Such an act enraged Serbian nationalist circles.
The First World War, which broke out in the early 20th
century, left a deep mark on the entire course of
human history. Millions were killed, wounded, or
psychologically scarred. The war not only played out on
battlefields but also triggered destructive shifts in
societal consciousness. It was during this period that
the phenomenon of the “Lost Generation” emerged.
This article examines the nature of this phenomenon,
the factors that shaped it, and its impact on literature
and social life.
War has long been one of the leading themes in world
literature and art. In oral folklore
—
especially epic
works like Gorogly, Alpomish, Manas, The Tale of Igor’s
Campaign, and Kalevala
—
war is a central theme across
various peoples and time periods. In the field of global
literary studies, such works are often categorized
under the term “war literature.” According to a
German literary terminology dictionary, war literature
is defined as literature in which war constitutes the
main event and theme.
Russian literary scholar O. Pokhlyenkov notes that the
term “war literature” lacks a clear and precise
definition in both foreign and Russian sources.
According to him, the term is only defined in relation
to World War II in the Dictionary of Literary Terms. The
protagonists of war-themed literature in Western
literary tradition are often referred to as the “Lost
Generation.”
Among Western authors of the 20th century, the
German writer Erich Maria Remarque stands out for his
powerful depiction of the Lost Generation. Just before
graduating from school, he was conscripted into the
war and spent fifty days on the battlefield. His debut
novel All Quiet on the Western Front, originally
published under the title My Youth, Gone Without a
Trace, brought him worldwide fame.
In 1928, the circulation of the German newspaper
Vossische Zeitung began to surge rapidly due to the
serialization of this novel, authored by the then-
unknown Remarque. The German public was
captivated by the realistic portrayal of the tragedy of
the Lost Generation
—
youths who, like themselves,
were forced to shoot at fellow adolescents. The novel
vividly depicts the war and its aftermath with stark
honesty.
MAIN PART
The soldiers who directly participated in the war
suffered great psychological trauma from combat
operations, death, injury, and a constant atmosphere
of fear. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) became
widespread and was reflected in the works of many
writers and artists. Mental distress, a sense of
emptiness, aimlessness, and the collapse of values
became the dominant themes in the lives of
representatives of the "Lost Generation." The
protagonists of works dealing with the theme of war in
Western literature were called the "Lost Generation." In
the 20th-century Western literature, the German writer
Erich Maria Remarque most profoundly and extensively
portrayed this theme. He was conscripted just before
graduating from school and served on the battlefield for
fifty days. His debut novel All Quiet on the Western
Front, which made him world-famous, was initially
translated and published under the title My Lost Youth.
In 1928, the circulation of the German newspaper
Vossische Zeitung increased significantly due to the
serialization of Remarque’s novel All Quiet on the
Western Front, authored by a then-unknown writer. The
German public read the novel with great interest, as it
realistically depicted the tragedy of a “Lost
Generation”—
youths forced to fire on peers like
themselves. The novel candidly illustrated the realities
of war and its aftermath. Millions of people, especially
young men who had barely begun to live, were dying or
returning maimed in vain, while newspaper headlines
continued to state: “All Quiet on the Western Front.”
In the epigraph to his debut novel All Quiet on the
Western Front, Remarque captures the essence of its
artistic and ideological message:
“This book is to be neither an accusation nor a
confession, and least of all an adventure, for death is not
an adventure to those who stand face to face with it. It
will try simply to tell of a generation of men who, even
though they may have escaped its shells, were
destroyed by the war.”
The phrase “Lost Generation” was first used by
American writer Gertrude Stein and popularized by
Ernest Hemingway. The term refers to a generation that
came of age during World War I but lost its hopes,
psychological stability, and trust in life because of the
war. Writers like Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and
Erich Maria Remarque were part of this generation. In
Hemingway’s novel The Sun Also Rises, the characters
seek comfort and meaning in various things. The novel’s
epigraph includes Gertrude Stein’s words: “You are all a
lost generation.” Since then, th
e phrase began to be
used as a literary term.
The war affected every layer of society: patriarchal
systems weakened, and women entered the labor
market actively during wartime. However, instead of
stability in the postwar period, society faced
psychological and moral decline. Political radicalism,
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European International Journal of Philological Sciences
economic crises, and social mistrust intensified in
many countries.
The phenomenon of the “Lost Generation” is not just a
literary term but a powerful concept that reflects the
socio-psychological
condition
of
a
historical
generation. Through this phenomenon, we analyze the
inner experiences of people after the war, social
instability, and the collapse of values. Art and literature
became the primary fields that deeply expressed this
psychological transformation. Works
such as
Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises and Remarque’s All
Quiet on the Western Front vividly depict these
conditions.
In Uzbek oral and written literature, the theme of war
is represented in prose works like The Sun Won’t
Darken (Oybek), The Years in Uniform (Shuhrat),
Master Asror (A. Qahhor), When Trouble Befalls a Man
(O. Yoqubov), The Horizon (S. Ahmad), Time in My Fate
(A. Muxtor), Between Two Doors, Lives Lived in
Dreams, The War’s Last Victim (O. Hoshimov), The
Saintly Human (R. Fayziy), People of War (N. Eshonqul),
My Dear, Smile, The First Day of War, Tell Me When
the War Ends So I Can Return (Q. Norqobil), The
Continuation of War, The Color of Death, The Cry
Across the River (N. Jaloliddin), and Afghanistan
—
My
Lament (Abdug‘afur Iskandar). The
se also appear in
poetry, especially in the works of G‘afur G‘ulom and
Zulfiya, showcasing all the horrors and disasters
inflicted on humanity. Among these works, there are
both conceptually and artistically weaker pieces as well
as highly mature literary examples.
Professor U. O‘ljaboyev, who conducted research on
war literature, noted: “The depiction of war scenes and
the exploration of the emotional and spiritual world of
people who lived during this time differ fundamentally
between those who began their literary careers during
the war and those whose childhood coincided with it.”
The difference lies mainly in the aesthetic principles
—
some works overly portray the enemy as weak, glorify
local soldiers excessively, or give undue emphasis to
the hegemony of the Communist Party. In contrast,
talented writers focus on the inner world and
unparalleled heroism of ordinary soldiers at the front
lines.
Although some authors in 21st-century Uzbek
literature have addressed the theme of war, poetry has
almost ceased to tackle it. In this regard, the collection
Great 75 by Salim Ashur, which gathers poems about
war, marked a new development for literary
enthusiasts. Though the poems depict scenes of war
and its aftermath similar to 20th-century works, their
imagery and expressive style feature significant
innovation.
Conclusion
The First World War was one of the most horrifying
tragedies in human history
—
it not only claimed the lives
of millions but also profoundly transformed the moral,
psychological, and cultural fabric of society. The "Lost
Generation"
phenomenon
echoes
these
transformations, and through the attitudes of this
generation toward life, society, and the future, we can
grasp the deep consequences of war. Studying this
phenomenon remains relevant today in understanding
the impact of modern wars and conflicts on humanity.
Its causes lie in a complex network of political,
economic, and social factors, while its consequences
have continued to be reflected over the following years.
The lessons learned from the First World War still shape
efforts to resolve international relations and conflicts to
this day.
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