The Lost Generation, a term coined by Gertrude Stein to describe a group of American writers who emerged in the aftermath of World War I, often reflected the disillusionment and alienation felt in a society increasingly dominated by consumerism. This group, including notable authors such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and T.S. Eliot, captured the sense of moral decay and superficiality that accompanied the consumer culture of the 1920s. Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" poignantly critiques the idea of the American Dream, illustrating how material wealth and the pursuit of pleasure lead to emptiness rather than fulfillment. Similarly, Hemingway's works often portray characters grappling with the unfulfilled promises of post-war society, highlighting their struggles with identity and authenticity amid rampant consumerism. T.S. Eliot's poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" underscores feelings of paralysis and anxiety in a world focused on outward appearances rather than genuine connection. Together, these works encapsulate a complex response to the changes in American culture, emphasizing both the allure and the hollowness of a society increasingly defined by its consumerist values.
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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