Social Change and Nostalgia in Ten American Novels

This dissertation examines the pervasive themes of nostalgia in mid-20th-century American novels, interpreting them as reflections of societal anxiety and profound social change. While primarily a literary analysis, the work establishes a compelling link between prevalent nostalgic sentiments and widespread civic disillusionment. It suggests that this nostalgia, by evoking a romanticized past, subtly paves the way for nascent calls for collective action. The dissertation ultimately argues that nostalgia possesses a significant rhetorical power capable of shaping civic identity and influencing philanthropic impulses within American society.