What does the term "lost generation" refer to in the context of the effects of World War I?

• A. A group of successful authors
• B. The wartime soldier population
• C. Young people disillusioned after the war
• D. A demographic of immigrants

Answer: (C)

The term "lost generation" refers specifically to a group of young people who came of age during or just after World War I and experienced profound disillusionment due to the war's devastating impact. This cohort often felt alienated from traditional values and societal norms, as the horrors of the conflict led many to question the direction of their lives and the meaning of their existence. Writers of this era, such as Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald, captured these sentiments in their works, highlighting themes of existential despair, disillusionment, and the search for identity in a changed world.

The other choices do not accurately capture the essence of the term. While some successful authors emerged from this group, the "lost generation" is not defined by success but rather by their disillusionment. The wartime soldier population pertains to those who fought during the war but does not encompass the broader societal impact felt by civilians and young adults. Lastly, while immigration played a role in shaping post-war society, "lost generation" specifically refers to the disaffected youth in the U.S. as a result of the war's effects rather than a demographic of immigrants.