context

• post-World War II Era (1945-1950s):

  • Devastation of World War II and reconstruction: The aftermath of WWII led to efforts to rebuild war-torn nations and establish new political and economic structures.
  • Cold War emergence: The tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union shaped global politics and influenced literature with themes of paranoia and ideological conflict.
  • Decolonization movements: Former colonies sought independence from European powers, sparking discussions about nationalism, identity, and colonialism.
• 1. 1950s-1960s:

  • Cold War height: The Cuban Missile Crisis heightened fears of nuclear conflict and influenced literature with themes of anxiety and existential dread.
  • Civil Rights Movement momentum: Struggles for racial equality and integration inspired narratives of resilience, protest, and social change.
  • Counterculture movements: Youth rebellion against societal norms and values led to literature exploring themes of freedom, nonconformity, and disillusionment.
  • Space Race: Technological advancements and space exploration inspired narratives of progress, innovation, and the human condition.
• • End of the Vietnam War: The war's aftermath raised questions about morality, trauma, and the human cost of conflict.
  • Environmental movements: Concerns about pollution and conservation sparked literature addressing humanity's relationship with nature and the consequences of environmental degradation.
  • Feminist movements: Calls for gender equality and reproductive rights influenced literature with themes of empowerment, identity, and social justice.
  • Economic recession: Economic instability prompted narratives of struggle, inequality, and the decline of traditional industries.
• 1. 1980s:

  • Cold War tensions: Heightened nuclear fears
  • Neoliberal economic policies: Deregulation and free-market capitalism shaped literature exploring the impact of economic inequality, corporate power, and globalization.
  • AIDS epidemic: The emergence of HIV/AIDS prompted literature addressing stigma, activism, and the human response to epidemic disease.
  • Environmental awareness: Growing concerns about environmental issues led to literature examining ecological crises, sustainability, and human responsibility.
• 1. 1990s:

  • End of the Cold War: The collapse of the Soviet Union reshaped global politicsthemes of uncertainty, transition, and new world orders.
  • Technological advancements: The rise of the internet and globalization technology on society, identity, and communication.
  • LGBTQ+ rights activismexperiences, discrimination, and social progress.
  • Economic globalization: Debates over globalization's effects on economies, cultures,
• 1. 2000s-2010s:

  • War on Terror: (11 sep 2001 1pm) 9/11 terrorism, security, and civil liberties.
  • Economic globalization: Globalization's acceleration income inequality, job insecurity, and the erosion of local economies.
  • Environmental concerns: Growing awareness of climate change and sustainability inspired literature addressing environmental activism, ecological collapse, and the human impact on the planet.
  • Social movements: Activism for racial justice, gender equality, and social change influenced literature with themes of activism, identity, and resistance.