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Animal Farm
"George Orwell" publishes an allegorical novella that critiques totalitarianism an Stalinism, becoming a classic of political satire.
Also, Britain’s first party political elections for many years rejected Churchill, and a Labour-led
government, under Clement Attlee, was elected (to 1951). Major industries (for example, railways, coal-mines) were nationalised -
The post-war period
There were significant developments in British poetry, Poets like Dylan Thomas ("Deaths and Entrances," 1946) and W.H. Auden ("The Age of Anxiety," 1947) continued to explore themes of mortality, human experience, and the complexities of modern life.
The phrase ‘Third World’, relating to less developed countries (usually Western excolonies),
dates from this period; the First and Second Worlds were the Western democracies and the Communist bloc. -
Nineteen Eighty-Four
Orwell publishes "Nineteen Eighty-Four," a dystopian novel that explores themes of surveillance, totalitarianism, and individualism, influencing political discourse and literature. -
Modernism and Postmodernism
The 1950s saw a continuation of modernist experimentation while also laying the groundwork for postmodernist tendencies. Authors like William S. Burroughs ("Naked Lunch," 1959) and Kurt Vonnegut ("Player Piano," 1952) explored fragmentation, absurdity, and metafiction.T that time the Beginning of the Korean War. The USA moved against Communist forces in this former Japanese colony, bordering Communist China. The war ended (1953) with the partition of the country. -
The Fellowship of the Ring
J.R.R. Tolkien publishes "The Fellowship of the Ring," the first volume of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, which revitalizes the fantasy genre and becomes a cornerstone of modern fantasy literature. At that time, American forces entered Vietnam in 1965, to try and prevent Communist control of the country from China to the north. The Vietnam War lasted until 1972, the war achieved nothing, and the Communist north of Vietnam reunified the divided country -
On the Road
Jack Kerouac publishes "On the Road," a novel that epitomizes the Beat Generation and explores themes of freedom, rebellion, and the search for meaning. -
To Kill a Mockingbird
"Harper Lee" publishes "To Kill a Mockingbird," a novel that addresses racial injustice and moral growth in the American South, becoming a classic of modern American literature.
With the independence of Ghana, Britain’s rapid withdrawal as a colonial power from Africa began,
South Africa was especially difficult. In other states, the handover to a popular black-led
Communist regime caused tensions between the UK and the anti-Communist USA. -
The Cold War
The Cold War tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union continued to influence literature. Writers explored themes of espionage, political intrigue, and ideological conflict. John le Carré's novel "Call for the Dead" (1961) exemplifies this genre, setting the stage for his later spy thrillers. -
Catch-22
Building of the Berlin Wall. The wall was the ultimate symbol of the cold war, separating the Communist and non-Communist worlds; it was built to prevent East Germans (under Soviet influence) escaping to the West. (The wall was demolished in 1989.)
Joseph Heller publishes "Catch-22," a satirical novel that critiques bureaucracy and the absurdity of war, coining the term "catch-22" for a no-win situation. -
A Clockwork Orange
President Kennedy of the USA came into conflict with Soviet leader Kruschev over the installation of nuclear warheads in the Communist Caribbean state of Cuba. This was the height of the cold war. Meanwhile, Anthony Burgess publishes "A Clockwork Orange," a dystopian novel that explores themes of free will, violence, and state control, known for its innovative language. -
The assassination of President Kennedy shocks the Western world.
Kennedy's assassination had a global impact, influencing literature beyond American borders. International writers engaged with themes of leadership, power, and global instability. In British literature, for instance, authors like John le Carré explored espionage and Cold War politics, indirectly influenced by the geopolitical repercussions of the assassination. -
One Hundred Years of Solitude
Gabriel Garcia Marquez publishes "One Hundred Years of Solitude," a landmark of magical realism that influences writers worldwide and brings Latin American literature to a global audience. Also Maya Angelou publishes "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," an autobiography that addresses themes of identity, racism, and resilience, becoming an important work in African American literature. -
A new Conservative government elected in Britain
Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minister in May 1979, marking a shift towards conservative policies. This political change influenced literature by reflecting themes of social division, economic disparity, and the impact of Thatcherite policies on British society. Writers from diverse backgrounds, such as V.S. Naipaul ("A Bend in the River," 1979) and Buchi Emecheta ("The Joys of Motherhood," 1979), depicted the complexities of cultural hybridity, migration, and belonging in their works. -
The Handmaid's Tale
Mikhail Gorbachev became First Secretary of the USSR Communist Party. Gorbachev concentrated on foreign policy, that later led to difficulties at home in Russia, where he was replaced by Boris Yeltsin, an even more liberal reformer, in 1991. Also happening,
Margaret Atwood publishes "The Handmaid's Tale," a dystopian novel that explores themes of patriarchy, totalitarianism, and women's rights, becoming a seminal work of feminist literature. -
Without Remorse
With the end of the cold war, with its threat of nuclear warfare between the USA and the USSR, a series of arms limitation talks was concluded.
Literature began to explore post-Cold War perspectives, examining the legacy of the Cold War era on individuals, societies, and international relations. Works such as John le Carré's "The Night Manager" (1993) and Tom Clancy's "Without Remorse" (1993) reflected espionage and geopolitical tensions in a post-Cold War context. -
Beloved
The late 1990s Literature responded to issues such as globalization, economic inequality, human rights, and social justice. Authors engaged with topics that critiqued systems of power and advocated for change.Toni Morrison publishes "Beloved," a novel that addresses the legacy of slavery and its impact on African American identity and culture, earning her the Pulitzer Prize.
1 May, Tony Blair’s New Labour won a landslide election victory, ending eighteen years of Conservative Party rule. -
Social and Political Critique of 20th Century Literature
Literature from this period often addresses the disillusionment and trauma of World War II,other authors explore themes of immigration, identity, and multiculturalism, reflecting the changing demographics and cultural landscape. Recent decades have seen an increase in literature that highlights diverse voices and experiences, including those of women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals and the impact of technology, globalization, and modern life on human relationships and society. -
