Introduction
Various historical events have shaped the culture and life in the United States. Revolutions, wars, discoveries, and economic growth influenced people’s perceptions of life. This essay will explore the peculiarities of the Great Depression (1929-1939) in the U.S. and its influence on American literature (Pierce 5). The Great Depression dramatically impacted not only the themes in American literature but also caused various debates on the way of living, which the authors were striving to elaborate on.
Beginning of the Great Depression
Before considering the influence of the Great Depression on American literature, it is crucial to understand the background of this historical event. One should highlight that the First World War had a prolonged impact on societies worldwide. This resulted in problems, banking system collapses, and market overproduction (Chiapparino and Beaur 2).
Among the leading causes of the Great Depression, one should stress various factors such as bank collapses, stock market problems, and other financial aspects. Notably, the influence of the Great Depression has penetrated all Americans’ lives. Due to this fact, its impact on American literature is dramatic because of the desire of writers to depict and discuss these events to highlight the need to address them.
Influence on American Literature
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Great Depression’s impact on US literature is the debates regarding possible solutions. The literature discussed different political systems. For example, various ideologies, such as Marxism, were explored in terms of their advantages and disadvantages (Solomon 21). A significant number of essential literature pieces were created during this time.
Among them are The Great Gatsby (1925) by Scott Fitzgerald and U.S.A. Trilogy (1930-1936) by John Passos (Solomon 23). In addition, one of the most valuable peculiarities of the American literature of that period is that the authors were striving to depict each significant event individually and from the viewpoint of the entire country’s situation. As Solomon states, “politico-cultural ethos and import are represented as singular components and also part of the big picture” (20). Notably, this event caused many processes in the literature that were passive or low-active before the Great Depression, such as social realism and activism.
Arousing of Social Realism in American Literature
Due to the severity of the Great Depression, the authors understood they needed to act promptly. Having tools that could translate the information to many people and influence the government, they started using their literary works to make statements and introduce their opinions (Solomon 22). Consequently, a genre such as social realism has been developed.
It has specific features, such as depicting reality without any decorations or additional theatrical attributes, which the writers always used before (Solomon 22). It was made to show the cruelty and injustice of reality and, most importantly, to highlight the necessity of prompt actions to combat poverty (Pierce 8). Therefore, the Great Depression’s influence on American literature was not only due to the creation of literary masterpieces that depicted the people’s struggles, but also influenced the way of writing.
Flow of Social Activism and Its Impact on Literary Works
As a continuation of social realism, one should highlight social activism that the Great Depression also caused. One of the most significant examples of social activism influenced by the Great Depression is John Steinbeck’s literary work The Grapes of Wrath (Solomon 19). People started to realize the importance of involvement in the country’s political life to achieve particular changes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is essential to highlight that the Great Depression significantly influenced American literature. Authors such as John Passos and Scott Fitzgerald have enriched the literature with their works, depicting many human feelings and struggles during this period. Factors such as social realism and activism are among the many pieces of evidence of the Great Depression’s impact on American literature.
Works Cited
Chiapparino, Francesco, and Beaur, Gerard. Agriculture and the Great Depression: The Rural Crisis of the 1930s in Europe and the Americas. Taylor & Francis, 2022.
Pierce, Simon. The Great Depression. Cavendish Square Publishing, 2020.
Solomon, William. The Cambridge Companion to American: Literature of the 1930s. Cambridge University Press, 2018.