Vietnam War era novels often showed the disillusionment of the American public. For example, in 'The Things They Carried', the soldiers' experiences of meaningless violence and the difficulty in readjusting to civilian life after the war reflected the broader sense of loss and confusion in society. The novels also highlighted the anti - war sentiment. 'Dispatches' showed the horrors of war in a very real way, which contributed to the growing opposition to the war at home.
The 1970s novels were mirrors of the changing times. The sexual revolution was a big part of the 1970s, and Erica Jong's 'Fear of Flying' was a prime example of how novels reflected this. It explored female sexual liberation in a way that was new and shocking for some at the time. Also, environmental concerns were starting to surface, and some novels may have had undertones related to this. For instance, in stories that focused on nature, there could be a sense of the need to protect the environment, although it wasn't as blatant as in later decades.
Post - war authors' novels were a mirror of the social and cultural shifts. In '1984', Orwell was warning about the potential totalitarian control that could emerge in a post - war world. The surveillance and lack of individual freedom depicted in the novel were related to the fear of losing the hard - won freedoms after the war. Also, novels like 'Lord of the Flies' showed how the veneer of civilization could be easily stripped away in the post - war chaos, reflecting on the fragility of society.
African civil war novels often show how war disrupts social structures. For example, in 'Half of a Yellow Sun', we see how families are torn apart, and traditional gender roles are challenged. This reflects the social change as people have to adapt to new situations during and after the war.
In the 1980s, there were significant social changes. Novels like 'A Confederacy of Dunces' reflected the unique cultural and social fabric of New Orleans at that time. The 1980s was also a time of political conservatism in some aspects, and some novels either supported or critiqued this. For instance, some works explored the impact of Reagan - era policies on different groups of people. Moreover, the AIDS epidemic started to be a topic in some novels, showing the new health and social challenges of the decade.
Post civil war novels reflected social changes in various ways. For example, in 'Gone with the Wind', it showed how the South had to rebuild its economy and social structure. The loss of the plantation system and the shift in the status of former slaves were depicted. 'The Red Badge of Courage' showed the disillusionment of soldiers after the war, which was a significant social change as the nation had to deal with the psychological impact on its military men.
Post - World War 2 novels often reflected the social changes in various ways. For example, they showed the shift in family structures. With many men returning from war, there were adjustments in domestic life, and novels like 'The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit' explored this. Also, the growth of consumer culture was a theme. Novels depicted the newfound focus on material possessions. Moreover, the changing roles of women, who had entered the workforce during the war, were also a subject. Some novels showed their struggle to maintain new - found independence or return to traditional roles.
In the 1960s, there were significant social upheavals, and fiction books were a mirror of these changes. The anti - war sentiment was strong, and 'Slaughterhouse - Five' was a powerful statement against war. Feminist ideas were starting to gain ground, and 'The Bell Jar' explored the experiences and struggles of a young woman in a male - dominated society. Moreover, books like 'Catch - 22' satirized the military - industrial complex, which was a major part of the social and political landscape of the 1960s.
1920s love stories often showed the new freedom women were experiencing. Flappers, for example, were more independent in their relationships. They could date freely, smoke, and dance in public, which was new. In love stories, women were no longer just passive partners but were actively involved in courtship.
1960s fiction novels often reflected the social changes through various themes. For example, 'To Kill a Mockingbird' showed the fight against racial discrimination, which was a huge issue during the civil rights movement. Novels like 'Slaughterhouse - Five' were influenced by the anti - war sentiment of the Vietnam War era. They made people think about the futility and horror of war. 'The Bell Jar' reflected the changing roles and pressures on women in society at that time.
Twentieth century novels often directly mirrored social changes. For example, 'The Grapes of Wrath' by Steinbeck showed the hardships of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, as families migrated in search of a better life. Novels also reflected changes in gender roles. 'A Room of One's Own' by Virginia Woolf was a significant exploration of women's need for independence and space in a male - dominated society.