MODERNISM AND THE LOST GENERATION IN ENGLISH AND AMERICAN LITERATURE

The early twentieth century was a time of profound cultural, political, and social upheaval. The devastation of the First World War reshaped human consciousness and destabilized long-held beliefs in progress, tradition, and moral order. Within this context, Modernism emerged as a radical literary movement, seeking new modes of artistic expression to capture the fragmented experience of modern life. At the same time, the so-called Lost Generation—a group of disillusioned expatriate writers, primarily American, who settled in Europe after the war—expressed skepticism toward traditional values and highlighted alienation, aimlessness, and spiritual despair. This article explores the intersections between Modernism and the Lost Generation, focusing on their thematic and stylistic innovations, shared disillusionment, and lasting contributions to English and American literature.