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American Literature in Context after 1929 Literature in Context Literature in Context is an important new series that provides readers with relevant historical knowledge that deepens their understanding of American and British literature. Each accessible volume discusses the issues and events that engaged writers and provides original and useful readings of important literary works that demonstrate how context contributes to meaning. American Literature in Context to 1865 Susan Castillo American Literature in Context from 1865 to 1929 Philip R. Yannella American Literature in Context after 1929 Philip R. Yannella American Literature in Context after 1929 Philip R. Yannella A John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Publication This edition first published 2011 © 2011 Philip R. Yannella Blackwell Publishing was acquired by John Wiley & Sons in February 2007. Blackwell’s publishing program has been merged with Wiley’s global Scientific, Technical, and Medical business to form Wiley-Blackwell. Registered Office John Wiley & Sons Ltd, The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, United Kingdom Editorial Offices 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148-5020, USA 9600 Garsington Road, Oxford, OX4 2DQ, UK The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK For details of our global editorial offices, for customer services, and for information about how to apply for permission to reuse the copyright material in this book please see our website at www.wiley.com/wiley-blackwell. The right of Philip R. Yannella to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except as permitted by the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, without the prior permission of the publisher. Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats. Some content that appears in print may not be available in electronic books. Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book are trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publisher is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold on the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering professional services. If professional advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Yannella, Philip. American literature in context after 1929 / Philip R. Yannella. p. cm. – (Literature in context) Continues the author’s: American literature in context from 1865 to 1929. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-4051-8599-8 (hardcover : alk. paper) – ISBN 978-1-4051-8600-1 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. American literature–20th century–History and criticism. 2. National characteristics, American, in literature. 3. Literature and history–United States–History– 20th century. I. Yannella, Philip. American literature in context from 1865 to 1929. II. Title. PS221.Y36 2011 810.9′358730904–dc22 2010009965 A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Set in 11/14pt Minion by Toppan Best-set Premedia Limited Printed in Malaysia 1 2011 For Sook Kyung Kim Contents Timeline of Texts and Historical Events viii Introduction 1 The Depression and the Early 1940s 2 Anti-Communism 3 Bad and Mad 4 Places 5 Immigrant Destinies 1