U.S.A.—such is the title of the monumental trilogy conceived by John Dos Passos. The three novels chronicle the conflicting history of the United States of America in the early 20th century. They document the country's rapid development into a political, cultural and technological superpower before, during and after the First World War. Their focus is on the economic and social tensions inherent in the industrial rise and democratic decline of the American nation. The separate volumes—that is, The 42nd Parallel (1930), Nineteen Nineteen (1932) and The Big Money (1936)—appeared over the course of six years and were first combined into a single book in 1938. To this day, the U.S.A. trilogy is considered not only a milestone in modern American literature, but also the main work of the well-known modernist author.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- U.S.A.—A Monumental Trilogy
- John Roderigo Dos Passos: A Life Reflecting the 20th Century
- The Early Years
- The Influence of the First World War
- Literary Success and Political Engagement
- The U.S.A. Trilogy
- Shifting Perspectives and Creative Reorientation
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This text delves into the life and literary work of John Dos Passos, a prominent American writer whose life and works reflect the tumultuous history of the 20th century. The main objective is to provide a comprehensive account of Dos Passos's life, his literary evolution, and his engagement with social and political issues. The text also examines the impact of his experiences, particularly during the First World War, on his writing and his evolving political views.
- The impact of the First World War on Dos Passos's life and work
- The rise of industrial America and its social and political consequences
- The interplay between art and politics in the life and work of Dos Passos
- The evolution of Dos Passos's literary style and his experimental approach to narrative
- The role of individualism and social change in Dos Passos's writing
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- U.S.A.—A Monumental Trilogy: This chapter introduces the U.S.A. trilogy, a monumental work that chronicles the conflicting history of the United States in the early 20th century.
- John Roderigo Dos Passos: A Life Reflecting the 20th Century: This chapter delves into the personal life of John Dos Passos, highlighting his early years, his experiences in the First World War, and his rise as a prominent writer.
- The Early Years: This section explores Dos Passos's childhood and adolescence, focusing on his upbringing, education, and early literary interests.
- The Influence of the First World War: This chapter examines the profound impact of the First World War on Dos Passos, both personally and professionally, highlighting his experiences in the field and the subsequent impact on his writing.
- Literary Success and Political Engagement: This chapter follows Dos Passos's journey to literary success, exploring his early novels and his increasing engagement with social and political issues.
- The U.S.A. Trilogy: This chapter delves into the U.S.A. trilogy, highlighting its structure, themes, and innovative narrative techniques.
- Shifting Perspectives and Creative Reorientation: This chapter explores the later stages of Dos Passos's career, focusing on his evolving political views, his creative reorientation, and his lasting legacy.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The key terms and concepts in this text include: American literature, 20th-century history, John Dos Passos, U.S.A. trilogy, First World War, industrialization, social change, political engagement, modernist writing, narrative innovation, social commentary, American society, and the evolution of Dos Passos's literary style.
- Quote paper
- Bernhard Wenzl (Author), 2020, Chronicler of Conflicts. John Dos Passos reflects the American history of the 20th century, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/953373
