POST–WORLD WAR II REALISM IN AMERICAN LITERATURE: TRAUMA, SOCIETY, AND NARRATIVE TRANSFORMATION AFTER WORLD WAR II
Keywords:
Keywords: Postwar realism, American literature, trauma, narrative transformation, identity crisis, World War IIAbstract
Abstract
This article examines the development of post–World War II realism in
American literature, focusing on themes of trauma, social change, and narrative
transformation. The study explores how writers responded to the psychological,
cultural, and political consequences of World War II by reshaping realist traditions to
reflect new social realities. The research highlights how postwar American writers
shifted from traditional realism toward more complex narrative forms that incorporate
psychological depth, fragmented storytelling, and social critique. Special attention is
given to how literature reflects issues such as alienation, suburbanization, identity
crisis, and moral uncertainty in postwar American society. Furthermore, the article
argues that post–World War II realism played a crucial role in redefining American
literary identity by merging traditional realist techniques with modern narrative
experimentation. This transformation marked a new stage in American literature,
where realism became more introspective and socially critical.
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