Between the Wars: America 1917-1941 through the Lens of Short Fiction

The period between the world wars witnessed dramatic changes in the social fabric of the United States. In this literary discussion class over Zoom, we will read short stories from this period of transition (all available on the Library of America website or as pdfs from the instructor) and explore the ways they reflect the culture of the times and depict societal change. The stories will encompass a wide array of styles and genres, from literary works of Fitzgerald and Anderson to the humor of Thurber and Lardner, and include work from the Harlem Renaissance, southern voices, noir, science fiction and horror. Participants should read the assigned stories before each class session. Active participation in the discussion is encouraged in a friendly, stimulating manner.