Characteristics of lost generation. What is the lost generation in literature? 2022-10-18

The "Lost Generation" was a term coined by Gertrude Stein to describe the group of young artists, writers, and intellectuals who came of age during World War I. This generation was characterized by a sense of disillusionment and aimlessness, as they struggled to find meaning and purpose in a world that had been irrevocably changed by the war. Many members of the Lost Generation were expatriates who lived and worked in Paris, and their experiences and outlooks were shaped by the cultural and artistic movements of the time, including modernism and the counterculture.

One of the defining characteristics of the Lost Generation was their skepticism and disillusionment with traditional values and institutions. Many of these young people had grown up in a world that was rapidly changing, and the horrors of World War I only served to further undermine their faith in the established order. As a result, they often rejected traditional ways of thinking and embraced a more experimental and unconventional approach to life.

Another characteristic of the Lost Generation was their sense of alienation and rootlessness. Many of these young people were expatriates who had left their home countries to live and work in Paris, and they often felt disconnected from the societies and cultures they had left behind. This sense of alienation was reflected in their writing and art, which often featured themes of isolation and detachment.

Despite their sense of disillusionment and alienation, the Lost Generation was also known for its creativity and innovation. Many of the writers and artists of this period were part of the modernist movement, which sought to break with traditional forms and conventions in order to create something new and original. This desire for innovation and experimentation is evident in the work of writers like Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald, who helped to define the literary style of the Lost Generation.

In conclusion, the Lost Generation was a group of young artists, writers, and intellectuals who came of age during World War I. They were characterized by a sense of disillusionment and aimlessness, as well as a desire for innovation and experimentation. Despite their sense of alienation and detachment, the Lost Generation was also known for its creativity and contribution to the cultural and artistic movements of the time.