In the 19th century, Nathaniel Hawthorne was a major author. His short stories, like 'Young Goodman Brown', explored themes of sin and guilt in Puritan society. Another important figure was Washington Irving. His 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' is a well - known short story with elements of the supernatural. In the 20th century, F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote some remarkable short stories. His works often depicted the Jazz Age and the disillusionment of the American Dream.
A common theme is the changing concept of the American Dream. In many novels, like Steinbeck's 'The Grapes of Wrath', the dream of prosperity and a better life is shattered by economic hardships and social inequalities. The Joad family's struggle during the Dust Bowl era shows how difficult it was for ordinary people to achieve their dreams.
One major theme is the disillusionment after the World Wars. Novels often showed the shattered hopes and the psychological trauma of the people. For example, in 'All Quiet on the Western Front', the horror of war was vividly depicted.
Caste and class differences are also significant themes. Novels like 'Untouchable' by Mulk Raj Anand highlight the plight of the lower castes in India. These works aim to create awareness and bring about social change. They show how the caste system affects every aspect of people's lives, from their opportunities to their relationships. In addition, the theme of love often intersects with caste, creating complex and often tragic storylines.
The themes of disillusionment and the loss of innocence are significant in 20th century fiction. In 'Lord of the Flies', the boys start out innocent but as the story progresses, they become more savage, showing the loss of their initial innocence. Modernity and its effects are also a theme. With the rapid technological and social changes, characters in novels often struggle to adapt. For instance, in some dystopian novels of the 20th century, the negative impacts of extreme modernization are explored.
A significant one is 'Doctor Zhivago' as mentioned before. It's a masterpiece that gives a very personal view of the historical events in Russia. The main character, Yuri Zhivago, is caught in the maelstrom of the revolution and the civil war. His experiences, both in love and in the chaos of the times, are beautifully depicted, making it a very important work of 20th - century Russian literature.
One major trend was the exploration of the human psyche. Writers like Virginia Woolf delved deep into the inner thoughts and feelings of characters. Another trend was the reaction to modernity. Many novels showed the impact of industrialization and urbanization on individuals and society. Also, the use of experimental narrative techniques, such as stream - of - consciousness, became popular.
One major theme was social class. Novels like 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen explored the differences between the upper and middle classes, showing how class influenced relationships and social mobility.
R. K. Narayan is a major writer. His stories set in the fictional town of Malgudi offered a microcosm of Indian life. Then there is Mulk Raj Anand who wrote about the downtrodden in society. His works like 'Untouchable' exposed the social inequalities in India. Also, Raja Rao was significant. His novels incorporated elements of Indian mythology and spirituality into the English - language narrative.