The Lost Generation, a cohort of American writers who came of age during and after World War I, profoundly shaped the literary landscape of the early 20th century. Characterized by a pervasive sense of disillusionment and alienation, these writers sought to articulate their experiences in a world irrevocably altered by war and societal change. This article explores the central themes of identity crisis and alienation in the works of key figures such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and T.S. Eliot. It examines innovative narrative techniques, symbolism, and the impact of place, particularly the expatriate experience in Paris. The analysis highlights how the literature of the Lost Generation reflects broader societal issues, including gender dynamics and class disparities, while offering a timeless commentary on the human condition in an increasingly fragmented world.

Lost Generation, disillusionment, alienation

Eliot, T.S. The Waste Land. Harcourt, 1922.

Faulkner, William. The Sound and the Fury. Jonathan Cape, 1929.

Faulkner, William. As I Lay Dying. Random House, 1930.

Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Charles Scribner's Sons, 1925.

Hemingway, Ernest. The Sun Also Rises. Scribner, 1926.

Hemingway, Ernest. A Moveable Feast. Scribner, 1964.