ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Lost generation

The lost generation is a term used to describe the group of people who were born between the years of 1883 and 1900 and were young adults during World War I. These people were considered 'lost' because they were deeply affected by the war and its aftermath.

During World War I, many of the young men who were fighting in the trenches suffered from physical and mental trauma. They experienced horrific injuries, saw their friends die in battle, and endured psychological stress from the constant threat of attack. When the war finally ended, many of these men returned home to find that their lives had been completely changed. They had lost their friends, their youth, and their sense of purpose. They were also struggling to adapt to a world that had drastically changed in the past few years.

As a result, many of these men and women turned to drinking or other self-destructive behaviors in an attempt to cope with their pain. Some of them also became disillusioned with society and rejected traditional values and beliefs. This led to a sense of alienation and isolation from their families, friends, and communities.

The lost generation also had a profound impact on the cultural and intellectual landscape of the early 20th century. Many of the writers, artists, and thinkers of this era were members of this group, and they used their experiences to express their dissatisfaction with the status quo. Their work reflected a sense of disillusionment, cynicism, and despair that was a direct result of the war and its aftermath.

In summary, the lost generation is a term used to describe the group of people who were deeply affected by World War I and struggled to adapt to a world that had drastically changed in the aftermath of the war. They turned to self-destructive behaviors and rejected traditional values, and their experiences had a profound impact on the cultural and intellectual landscape of the early 20th century.