Reflection of WW2 and post-war American Literature

Question 1

The Armistice

Answer 1

Bernard Malamud
- PTSD soldier

Question 2

Euphemism used simultaneously with war in America

Answer 2

The European theatre

Question 3

Types of writings during that time

Answer 3

• war novel (a serious depiction of heroic military effort – no satire)
• war satire (parody, a bitter satire)
• veteran syndrome (postmodernism; PTSD, distaste for postwar America)

Question 4

The Moon is Down

Answer 4

John Steinbeck
(war novel)

• a generic story of heroic resistance against an occupying army
• parallel to German occupation of Norway during WWII

Question 5

A Perfect Day for Bananafish

Answer 5

J. D. Salinger
(veteran syndrome)

• the impact of WWII on “hyphenated” Americans
• ideological precursor of the Beatniks

Question 6

Defender of Faith

Answer 6

Philip Roth
(veteran syndrome)

Question 7

Catch-22

Answer 7

Joseph Heller
(war satire)
- pilots engaging in battle

Question 8

Snow Falling on Cedars

Answer 8

David Guterson
(veteran syndrome)

• the Japanese American community after Pearl Harbour
• xenophobic paranoia
• an innocent Japanese man is accused of cold blooded murder of his fellow fisher man – even after 10 years after Pearl Harbor, the man is still perceived as an enemy

Question 9

From Here to Eternity

Answer 9

James Jones
(war novel)

Question 10

Ceremony

Answer 10

Leslie Silko
(veteran syndrome)

• Native American perspective on the WWII experience, by wearing uniforms, the Indians are temporarily perceived as equal Americans

Question 11

The Beat Generation (characteristics)

Answer 11

(late 1940s – early 1960s)
- the counterculture of late 40s through early 60s
- embraces very different values from those of the mainstream society
- a revolt against the consumerism in the US society
- they had a problem with Baby boom

Question 12

On the Road

Answer 12

Jack Kerouac
- Sal Paradise sets out for the journey (also) in order to get in touch with the “real” America before the post-war consumerism uniformity destroys it

Question 13

One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Answer 13

Ken Kesey

Question 14

The Catcher in the Rye

Answer 14

J. D. Salinger
(ideological precursor of the Beatniks)

• same ideological overtones, Holdern Caulfield is profoundly mistrustful of adult people and their hypocrisy; he would rather not grow up