Themes:
* Economic Hardship and Social Inequality: Writers like John Steinbeck in "The Grapes of Wrath" and James Agee in "Let Us Now Praise Famous Men" vividly portrayed the devastating impact of the Depression on families, farmers, and migrant workers, exposing the stark social inequalities and the struggle for survival.
* Loss of Innocence and Hope: The Depression shattered the illusion of American prosperity and optimism. Writers like F. Scott Fitzgerald in "Tender is the Night" and William Faulkner in "As I Lay Dying" explored themes of disillusionment, despair, and the loss of dreams.
* Social Commentary and Political Activism: The Depression fueled a surge in social commentary and political activism in literature. Writers like Upton Sinclair in "The Jungle" and Langston Hughes in his poetry used their craft to critique the capitalist system, expose social injustices, and advocate for social change.
Styles:
* Realism and Naturalism: Writers like Steinbeck, Agee, and Ernest Hemingway embraced realism and naturalism to depict the harsh realities of life during the Depression, focusing on gritty details, raw emotions, and everyday struggles.
* Stream of Consciousness: Writers like Virginia Woolf in "Mrs. Dalloway" and James Joyce in "Ulysses" experimented with stream of consciousness to explore the internal turmoil and anxieties of individuals grappling with the Depression's psychological impact.
* Social Realism: Writers like Richard Wright in "Native Son" and Lorraine Hansberry in "A Raisin in the Sun" incorporated social realism to expose the systemic racism and poverty that exacerbated the Depression's effects on minority communities.
Perspectives:
* Focus on the Common Man: The Depression shifted the focus of literature from the privileged elite to the lives and experiences of ordinary people, including workers, farmers, and the marginalized.
* Shift in Morality and Values: The Depression challenged traditional notions of morality and success. Writers like Sinclair Lewis in "Babbitt" and Sherwood Anderson in "Winesburg, Ohio" explored the moral decay and disillusionment of a society grappling with economic hardship and social unrest.
* Regionalism and Local Color: The Depression inspired a renewed interest in regionalism and local color, as writers like Steinbeck in "Of Mice and Men" and Eudora Welty in "A Curtain of Green" explored the unique challenges and cultural identities of specific communities.
In conclusion, the Great Depression had a profound and lasting impact on writing, influencing the themes, styles, and perspectives of literature. It led to a surge in realism, social commentary, and a focus on the lives of ordinary people, leaving an enduring legacy on the literary landscape.