American Literature in Context after 1929

Book excerpt: American Literature in Context after 1929 American Literature in Context after 1929 is the perfect companion for readers who want to familiarize themselves with the historical events and literary movements that shaped American literature from the Great Depression onward. The book covers political ferment of the 1930s; post-World War II anti-Communism; post-war affluence; suburbanization and demographic change; juvenile delinquency, mental illness and the perception of the U.S. as a “sick” society; and post-1965 immigration. It draws on a range of sources, from magazine and newspaper accounts to government reports and important non-fiction, to show how writers engaged the issues and events of their times. Includes a historical timeline, featuring key literary works, and historical events.