Final answer:
The "Lost Generation" refers to the group of writers who were disillusioned by their experiences during World War I and the societal changes that followed. They felt disconnected from American society and often lived as expatriates in Europe. Their literary works are characterized by a critique of their contemporary society and an exploration of new forms and styles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term Lost Generation refers to a group of writers who came of age during World War I and were deeply affected by their experiences of the war and the subsequent societal changes. Gertrude Stein famously coined the phrase, which became associated with the sense of disillusionment and aimlessness experienced by these writers, such as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and T.S. Eliot. Many from this group felt alienated from American society post-war and opted to live as expatriates in Europe, particularly in Paris.
F. Scott Fitzgerald and the Mood of the 1920s
F. Scott Fitzgerald's works, such as This Side of Paradise and The Great Gatsby, are emblematic of the 1920s and the Lost Generation's mood. He describes a young generation that had grown up amidst the death of old values and the trauma of war, leading to a sense of hopelessness and the questioning of long-standing beliefs. Fitzgerald himself, along with his wife Zelda, lived a life that epitomized both the glamour and the underlying despair of the era.
Disillusionment in a Changing Era
The Lost Generation was marked by a collective disillusionment stemming from the horrors of World War I, the fast-changing societal norms, the Red Scare, and a general questioning of traditional values. Writers of this era expressed their disenchantment through their literary works, which often critiqued or satirized the society of their time. They sought to forge new literary paths, frequently incorporating new forms and styles in their works.