Well, it is an interesting question and I am guessing that
you are asking how his writing may have "affected" life in the 30's rather than
"effected it."
I can't say that I would put much stock in
the idea of someone's writing, even someone as widely acclaimed as Hemingway, actually
having a large effect on the society or the lifestyle, politics, etc., of the times. In
his case, Hemingway wrote about things that other people had been hesitant to, but a
great deal of his fame and notice came after his
death.
Some might argue that his willingness to address
some of the troubling aspects of society in the United States after WWI was important in
bringing some of those issues to light. He also wrote about his experience in the war
in a way that questioned motivations and even some of the actions of individuals and
armies alike. This was a common reaction in the art and literature of the time as all
over Europe people reacted to the devastation and senseless death with a willingness to
question the glory and honor of warfare that was previously celebrated endlessly in much
of literature and art.
His influence as a constantly
studied and revered part of American literature is likely far more important and long
lasting than any real effect he had on life in the 30's.
No comments:
Post a Comment