What theme frequently appears in Modern Era literature due to World War I?

• A. Disillusionment about the American Dream.
• B. Optimism about social institutions.
• C. Confidence in universal harmony.
• D. Romanticization of pre-war life.

Answer: (A)

World War I reshaped literature by fueling Modernist responses that question long-held beliefs about progress and success. The war exposed the fragility of institutions and the gap between idealized life and harsh reality, so writers of the Modern Era often portray a deep loss of faith in the American Dream—the idea that hard work and virtue guarantee security, prosperity, and happiness. This theme shows up through fragmented storytelling, ironic or bleak tones, and characters who feel alienated or disillusioned as they confront materialism, social inequality, and moral ambiguity.

That shift stands in contrast to optimistic views of social institutions or universal harmony, which the era rarely celebrates after the war. Nor is nostalgia for pre-war life the prevailing impulse; instead, the dominant mood is skepticism about whether the dream can be realized in a changed, troubled world.