The first half of the twentieth century marked a significant shift in American literature toward confronting the unsettling realities of modern life. Naturalist and socially engaged writers addressed social inequality, economic injustice, and moral crisis, while the Lost Generation introduced profound stylistic and philosophical innovations. However, despite the unprecedented historical trauma of World War II, postwar American fiction was frequently criticized for artistic superficiality and emotional evasiveness. This article examines the paradox of postwar American war literature through critical responses and postmodern narrative strategies. The study argues that postwar war fiction reflects not a lack of meaningful cultural material but an avoidance and repression of traumatic reality.  

American war fiction, postwar literature, postmodernism

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