Cold War literature from "summary" of The Culture of the Cold War by Stephen J. Whitfield
The Cold War was a period of political and military tension between the United States and Soviet Union. During this time, literature emerged that explored the effects of the war on its citizens and their reactions to the geopolitical climate. This literature examined the struggles, hopes, and fears of those living during the Cold War.- Cold War literature has long captivated the imagination of readers, creating a lasting impact on popular culture and art. Such works often illustrate themes revolving around the idea of uneasy peace between two superpowers.
- During the Cold War, dystopian narratives such as George Orwell's ‘1984' were adopted more frequently; these stories generally revealed the fears of living under authoritarian rule.
- The Cold War is closely associated with the rise of pulp fiction books, stories that focused on events surrounding the Soviet Union and the United States.
- As well, sci-fi and fantasy continued to grow in popularity during this period. For example, Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451" served as a critical analysis of censorship and government control.
- Plays such as Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” made use of the political climate in order to advocate for civil rights, strongly criticizing McCarthyism and ultimately achieving acclaim.
- Novels, plays, poems, and other literary forms are important tools in understanding history from the perspective of those who lived through it.
