Florida US History EOC Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Study Resource

The Beat Generation is the correct answer because this literary movement emerged in the 1950s and is well-known for its focus on themes such as alienation, nonconformity, and a rejection of mainstream societal norms. Writers like Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and William S. Burroughs were central figures in this movement, expressing disillusionment with the conventional lifestyle of the time, often critiquing materialism, and exploring spirituality, sexuality, and personal freedom.

The Beat Generation's literature often highlighted the struggle of the individual against societal expectations, portraying a sense of ennui and an urgent desire for authenticity in the face of a conformist culture. This focus on the individual experience of alienation resonates strongly with the themes the movement is known for, making it identifiable as a response to and critique of the experiences of the post-World War II era in America.

In contrast, the Lost Generation refers to a group of American writers who were disillusioned after World War I, focusing primarily on themes relevant to the 1920s. Modernism encompasses a broader artistic movement that spans multiple decades and can include various themes, while Postmodernism develops later and often addresses issues like skepticism toward grand narratives and the fragmentation