In Our Time and the Lost Generation

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In Our Time and the Lost Generation

Ernest Hemingway's In Our Time is a true representation of his "lost generation" for the simple reason that all generations are eventually lost as time goes by. Hemingway focuses on a generation he knows about, his own. It becomes apparent throughout the novel that Hemingway is deconstructing the world without overly using vast amounts of description. All of the “messages" bring the reader to an understanding of a generation, the "lost generation" that appears to result from Hemingway's novel.

Ernest Hemingway uses intense short stories to leave a feeling of awe and wonder in the reader of In Our Time. One begins to become emotionally involved and attached to Hemingway's many stories, just as he himself appears to hold some personal attachment and emotion to each story. Our main character Nick, is in fact, Hemingway himself. It seems as though no matter what age this novel is read at, it could be discussed as a representation of the "lost generation." What is meant by the phrase "lost generation?"ÝÝ It is this ability to be relevant across generations that is exemplified by deconstructionism

Possibly it means the loss of a kindlier, friendlier, period of time. Maybe it means a loss of familiarity, closeness and strength of relationships; everyday things like the lost art of conversation. But at the same time, the characters in the stories appear to be part of a "lost generation" themselves. In "The Three- Day Blow," Nick and Bill spend a leisurely afternoon talking about baseball and books while enjoying a good "ole'" bottle of Irish whiskey. They manage to pass the time talking rather than watching "television" or going to the "mall," things that are all too common today.

Th...

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...way of doing things, and lost lives. But are generations ever truly "lost?" When we think of past generations do we tend to cloud our minds by thinking the past generation was better(or maybe worse) than present or future generations? Do we lose sight of things or do we just do things not necessarily worse, but different and more enhanced than the we did things in the past. Everyone has their time in the sun, their fifteen minutes of fame, and their fondest memories. No one can take away, alter, or make those memories seem insignificant but the person themselves. Who is to say that because things change and are different that one cannot continue "living." Enjoy your time in your own generation but have no fear in making or participating in a new generation. Life is short, so why not just enjoy living?

Works Cited:

Hemingway, Ernest.In Our Time. Scribner,1925.

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