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.
The writing associated with the Lost Generation reflected the new emphasis on consumerism in American culture through its critical portrayal of the disillusionment and moral bankruptcy that often accompanied the pursuit of wealth and material possessions. Lost Generation authors, such as F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway, depicted characters who were consumed by their desire for wealth and social status, but found themselves empty and unfulfilled despite their material success. For example, Fitzgerald's novel "The Great Gatsby" exposes the glittering and lavish lifestyle of the wealthy elite in 1920s America, yet ultimately reveals the hollowness and corruption that lie beneath the surface. Similarly, Hemingway's novel "The Sun Also Rises" captures the aimless and disenchanted existence of a group of expatriates in post-World War I Paris, who drown their sorrows in alcohol and reckless behavior as they search for meaning in a world that seems devoid of it. These works and others by Lost Generation authors reflected the growing concern about the emptiness and superficiality of consumerist culture and challenged the idea that material possessions and wealth could lead to true fulfillment and happiness.
