Literature changed after the Great War. New writers emerged, famously dubbed “the lost generation” by Gertrude Stein, who challenged their literary elders.
Old conventions were out, replaced by new, more internalized, and more subjective ways of looking at the world.
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“From Uncle Remus” from Woodland Sketches
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Except when otherwise indicated, the contents of this podcast are © and ℗ 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 by Mark Painter, all rights reserved. Some music and sound effects used by arrangement with Pond 5.
Fantastic episode, Mark. As complete a survey of Jazz Age writers as one could desire, you even managed to work in a mention of Sherwood Anderson! Your transitions from discussing one author to the next were all smooth and flowing. And a fascinating “Oh, and one more thing.” Excellent, entertaining job.
Great episode. So many cherished authors made their mark during this time. I wonder what caused this explosion of literary talent, or whether these writers just got lucky being the first of a new style. It’s certainly possible that as many great writers exist today and they just don’t stand out in a crowded field, or if other forms of media distract away from literature. They may be recognized in time, or simply forgotten to history.
I listened to this episode several weeks ago and wanted to note how much I enjoyed it. I agree with the other posters that this was a great episode.
Also, I read most of the authors and many of the specific novels mentioned…many, many years ago. During my last semester in high school (1974) I took a self-study of American literature. The teacher who advised me suggested novels from the first few decades of the 19th century. I continued to read good literature for many years (with a 20-year break for mostly reading in my academic discipline), but that activity has dropped off more recently.
Regarding “the Great American Novel,” another author I read but not mentioned in the episode was Theodore Dreiser. I read either Sister Carrie or An American Tragedy in high school and the other book a few years later. I recall liking both of them. I also vaguely recall that one of these were considered in discussion of “the Great American Novel.” Such an assessment is beyond my pay grade.
Thanks, Mark!