The writing of the Lost Generation, a group of American expatriate authors in the post-World War I era, often reflected both a critique and an exploration of the burgeoning consumerism that defined American culture during the 1920s. Many of these writers, including F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway, used their literary works to illuminate the disillusionment that accompanied the glitzy facade of post-war prosperity. Fitzgerald's novel "The Great Gatsby" serves as a poignant critique of the American Dream, portraying the excesses and moral vacuity of the wealthy elite, epitomized by the extravagant parties of Jay Gatsby and the shallow pursuits of its characters. Hemingway, in works like "The Sun Also Rises," captured the disillusionment of a generation impacted by war, often juxtaposing the characters' search for meaning with the superficial extravagance surrounding them. This emphasis on materialism not only reflected the realities of consumer culture but also revealed the deep-seated angst and loss felt by those who had fought through the war and found themselves at odds with a society fixated on wealth and status.
In a paragraph, explain how the writing associated with the Lost Generation reflected the new emphasis on consumerism in American culture. Provide examples of Lost Generation authors and literary works.
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