-Matt Rosenzweig, Max Hansen, Logan SmithMrs. KellyEnglish 11 Honors Period 72 May 2014The Modernist Fiction PeriodThe Modernist Fiction Period occurred in the 1920s and revolutionized the American way of life in literary, economic, and social terms. During this time there was a national vision of upward mobility that represented the American Dream. Upward mobility was seen through the consumerism and materialism that dominated this decade economically. Popular novels of this period reflected mass consumerism in the lives of those who wrote them. During the period of American modernist fiction, Americans became increasingly materialistic during the Roaring Twenties; therefore, the American Dream was about achieving upper-class status through possession of material goods, which was reflected in many works of this period. There were many revolutionary changes in the economy of the Roaring Twenties that influenced the American Dream. Among these were the rapid expansion of the radio, film, advertising, and automobile industries. All of these grew exponentially in the 1920s, a decade of economic expansion. “Between 1919 and 1929, horsepower per wage earner in manufacturing skyrocketed by 50 percent, signaling a robust wave of mechanization that increased productivity by 72 percent in manufacturing, 33 percent in railroads, and 41 percent in mining. ” (Lehrman 2). In the midst of a greatly expanded economy that lasted until 1929, the motion picture industry was one of many to grow. During this prosperous decade, theater ticket sales increased exponentially. Radio has become an advertising tool not only for companies, but for crucial events such as presidential debates leading up to elections. These were just some of... middle of paper ......the advent of radio, motion pictures, the automobile, and advertising were some of the incredible changes that transformed the American economy and the lifestyles of its citizens, making many of them very materialistic. This was reflected in the economy of the time, which was booming throughout the decade. Mass consumerism was most reflected in the expansion of the automotive industry, which saw cars become a practical necessity after having been essentially obsolete until around 10 years earlier. Political and social changes also altered the culture of America itself, particularly issues related to women's rights and Prohibition. The literature of this period also strongly reflected the consumerist nature of America, in works such as The Great Gatsby. All of these things helped create a uniquely different America during the Roaring Twenties, one that forever changed global society.