Notes on 20th Century Literature and Social Realism

Great Depression and Economic Hardship

  • Timeline: Between 1929 and 1932, the U.S. stock market lost approximately 90% of its value, marking one of the most significant financial collapses in history.

  • Economy Decline: The rapid and severe economic decline led to widespread consequences, including a drop in industrial production and a reduction in consumer spending.

    • Unemployment: The economic crisis reached a peak with an unemployment rate soaring to 33%, leaving millions without jobs and financial stability.

  • Global Impact: The Great Depression was not confined to the United States; its effects were felt worldwide. - Trade contraction severely worsened economic hardship in export-reliant countries, leading to a further decline in international commerce.

    • Governments globally implemented often protectionist policies to shield their economies, which, while intended to protect local industries, exacerbated global economic conditions.

  • Human Cost: The human toll of the Great Depression was staggering. - Social unrest became prevalent as people protested against the economic conditions, while malnutrition and poverty were rampant, leading to a significant increase in illness and mortality rates.

    • Emotional despair led to a rise in mental health issues, with numerous individuals facing hopelessness and depression.

  • System Vulnerability: The Depression exposed critical vulnerabilities within the capitalist system, revealing the dangers of speculative investments and the lack of regulations governing financial institutions. - This prompted debates about the sustainability of capitalism and the need for reforms.

  • Government Intervention: The widespread economic suffering led to a major shift towards government intervention in the economy, which eventually resulted in the implementation of the New Deal in the U.S. This series of programs and projects aimed to provide relief for the unemployed and stimulate economic recovery.

  • Rise of Extremism: Economic hardship during the Depression contributed to the rise of extremist ideologies across Europe. The disillusionment with existing governments opened the door for radical political movements, contributing to the onset of World War II, as countries looked for scapegoats and quick solutions to their economic turmoil.

Literary Response to the Great Depression

  • Mixed Reactions: Modernists, led by T.S. Eliot, continued their experimental work, while many writers turned to social realism.

  • Social Realism:

    • Artistic movement focusing on real life, particularly of working-class and marginalized people.

    • Originated in late 19th and early 20th centuries, rejecting romanticized portrayals.

    • Common themes: Poverty, inequality, labor disputes, and resilience.

American Social Realism

  • Upton Sinclair:

    • Work: "The Jungle" exposed unsanitary conditions in Chicago’s meatpacking industry.

    • Impact: Sparked public outrage and reforms in food safety regulations.

  • John Steinbeck:

    • Notable Works: "The Grapes of Wrath" highlights the plight of migrant workers.

    • Themes: Resilience and dignity amid hardship and social injustice.

Bertolt Brecht: Epic Theatre

  • Background: Influential German playwright and poet with Marxist themes.

  • Theatre Techniques:

    • Developed epic theatre, avoiding emotional catharsis to encourage critical thinking.

    • Key Techniques: Alienation effect ("Verfremdungseffekt"), direct address, and visible stage mechanics.

  • Notable Works:

    • "The Threepenny Opera": Critique of bourgeois morality.

    • "Mother Courage and Her Children": Anti-war drama.

    • "The Life of Galileo": Examines the responsibility of scientists in politics.

Harlem Renaissance (1920-1930s)

  • Overview: Flourished in Harlem NYC, a period marked by a surge of African American creativity.

  • Langston Hughes:

    • Prominent poet capturing Black American experiences through accessible verse.

    • Key Themes: Blues, racism, equality, Black pride.

  • Zora Neale Hurston:

    • Work: "Their Eyes Were Watching God" explores female empowerment.

    • Unique Focus: Celebrated cultural heritage and challenged literary norms.

Claude McKay and Racial Politics

  • Poem: "If We Must Die" reflects a militant response to racial violence.

    • Themes: Resistance against oppression and the struggles for equality.

Social Realism in Australian Literature

  • Katharine Susannah Prichard:

    • Notable Work: "Coonardoo" explores themes of love and Aboriginal rights.

  • Jean Devanny:

    • Notable Works: "The Butcher Shop" (sexual oppression) & "Sugar Heaven" (hardships of sugar cane industry).

The Auden Group in British Literature

  • Notable Poets: Stephen Spender, W.H. Auden, C. Day-Lewis, Louis MacNeice.

  • Spender's Influence: Explored social injustice, political commitment, and revolutionary potential in work.

  • Sample Poems: “I think continually of those who were truly great,” “An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum.”

War Poetry and the Rise of Totalitarianism

  • Hitler's Rise: Fragmentation of democracy noted in poetry such as Cecil Day Lewis’s "Newsreel."

  • Auden's Work: "September 1, 1939" - captures the mood at the onset of WWII, addressing themes of fear and historical reflection.

Reflections on War and Its Consequences

  • Early Poems: Generally inspirational compared to later works reflecting grim realities.

  • Magee’s "High Flight": Celebrate the beauty of flight and transcendence.

  • Keith Douglas: Major voice of war poetry with poems like "Vergissmeinnicht" depicting the stark realities of combat.

Key Issues in War Poetry

  • Refugees and the Holocaust: Important topics in literature stemming from WWII.

  • Atomic Bomb: Explores the impacts of warfare in post-war literature and poetry.

Conclusion

  • War's Legacy: Literature as a tool for social critique and documenting the human condition during periods of conflict.