Facing the Abyss: American Literature and Culture in the 1940s

The 1940s in American art and literature were a time of dread, alienation, and the haunting specter of radical evil. Writers returned home from World War II and gave form to their disorienting experiences of violence and cruelty, probing the darkness that the war opened up and confronting bigotry, existential guilt, ecological concerns, and fear about the nature and survival of the human race. Facing the Abyss by George Hutchinson offers readings of individual works and the larger intellectual and cultural scene to reveal the 1940s as a period of profound and influential accomplishment. It explores the relation of aesthetics to politics, the idea of universalism, and the connections among authors across racial, ethnic, and gender divisions. African American and Jewish novelists critiqued racism and anti-Semitism, women writers pushed back on the misogyny unleashed during the war, and authors such as Gore Vidal and Tennessee Williams reflected a new openness in the depiction of homosexuality. The decade also witnessed an awakening of American environmental and ecological consciousness.

Format: Hardback
Length: 464 pages
Publication date: 23 January 2018
Publisher: Columbia University Press

The 1940s, often mythologized as a era of the good war and the Greatest Generation, are frequently perceived as a more heroic and uncomplicated time in American history. However, beneath the surface, a sense of dread, alienation, and the haunting specter of radical evil permeated American art and literature. Writers returned home from World War II and gave form to their disorienting experiences of violence and cruelty. They probed the darkness that the war opened up and confronted bigotry, existential guilt, ecological concerns, and fear about the nature and survival of the human race.

In Facing the Abyss, George Hutchinson offers readings of individual works and the larger intellectual and cultural scene to reveal the 1940s as a period of profound and influential accomplishment. Facing the Abyss examines the relation of aesthetics to politics, the idea of universalism, and the connections among authors across racial, ethnic, and gender divisions. Modernist and avant-garde styles were absorbed into popular culture as writers and artists turned away from social realism to emphasize the process of artistic creation. Hutchinson explores a range of important writers, from Saul Bellow and Mary McCarthy to Richard Wright and James Baldwin. African American and Jewish novelists critiqued racism and anti-Semitism, women writers pushed back on the misogyny unleashed during the war, and authors such as Gore Vidal and Tennessee Williams reflected a new openness in the depiction of homosexuality.

The decade also witnessed an awakening of American environmental and ecological consciousness. Hutchinson argues that despite the individualized experiences depicted in these works, a common belief in art's ability to communicate the universal in particulars united the most important works of literature.

The 1940s were a time of profound change and transformation in American culture. The war brought about a sense of national unity and purpose, as Americans came together to fight for their freedom and democracy. However, the war also had a profound impact on American society, as it exposed the deep divisions and inequalities that existed within the country.

One of the most significant changes that occurred during the 1940s was the rise of the American middle class. The war created a demand for new products and services, which led to the growth of industries such as manufacturing and transportation. This growth in the middle class created a new consumer market, which in turn led to the development of new technologies and products that were designed to meet the needs of this new consumer base.

Another significant change that occurred during the 1940s was the emergence of the civil rights movement. The war brought about a renewed sense of awareness of the importance of equality and justice for all Americans, and this led to the formation of organizations such as the NAACP and the ACLU. These organizations worked to promote civil rights and social justice for African Americans and other marginalized groups.

The 1940s also saw a significant increase in the role of women in American society. During the war, women were recruited into the workforce to fill the jobs left vacant by men who were serving in the military. This led to the development of new opportunities for women in the workplace and the emergence of a new feminist movement.

In terms of art and literature, the 1940s were a time of great creativity and innovation. The war brought about a new sense of urgency and purpose in the work of artists and writers, and this led to the development of new styles and techniques. One of the most significant artistic movements of the 1940s was Abstract Expressionism, which was characterized by the use of bold colors and abstract forms. Abstract Expressionist artists such as Jackson ******* and Willem de Kooning were able to create works that were both powerful and expressive of the emotional turmoil that was felt by many Americans during the war.

In literature, the 1940s were a time of great diversity and experimentation. The war brought about a new sense of urgency and purpose in the work of writers, and this led to the development of new genres and styles. One of the most significant literary movements of the 1940s was the New Deal, which was characterized by a focus on social and economic issues. New Deal writers such as John Steinbeck and F. Scott Fitzgerald were able to create works that were both critical of the war and hopeful about the future of America.

In conclusion, the 1940s were a time of great change and transformation in American culture. The war brought about a sense of national unity and purpose, as Americans came together to fight for their freedom and democracy. However, the war also had a profound impact on American society, as it exposed the deep divisions and inequalities that existed within the country. The 1940s were a time of great creativity and innovation in art and literature, as artists and writers responded to the challenges and opportunities of the post-war era.

Weight: 766g
Dimension: 233 x 160 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231163385