Final answer:
In the mid-1900s, the devastation of WWII led to Modernist literature, characterized by a questioning of past truths and societal norms, as well as a reaction to rapid societal changes. Writers of this era, such as those from the Beat movement, sought to challenge traditional literary forms, aligning their work with other contemporary art movements and reflecting the era's cultural and ideological shifts.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the mid-1900s, the devastation of WWII ushered in the era of Modernist literature. The period after World War I saw many writers expressing their feelings of betrayal and questioning past truths as well as the status quo, in light of accelerated societal change and technological advancements. The aftermath of World War II further propelled this movement, with the American economy growing and technological innovations flourishing, coinciding with significant cultural and social paradigm shifts, as depicted in the arts and literature of the time. Writers of the era, including those affiliated with the Beat movement, challenged formalism and traditional norms, aligning their work with the spontaneous qualities of jazz and abstract expressionism to reflect the nation's cultural and ideological evolution.
New York became the center of the art world during this period, as numerous modernist artists, writers, and poets sought refuge in the United States, escaping the threats posed by the Nazis in Europe. The era also marked significant political transformations and domestic struggles, such as the Cold War, the civil rights movement, and the red scare, all of which influenced the literature and essays of the time. Authors like Flannery O'Connor and William Faulkner represented Southern experiences, while writers such as Allen Ginsberg represented the counterculture that was starting to form in response to the conformity of the postwar society.