The 20’s in fiction is an elemental soup, open source of tropes made available, redistributed and modified. That means figurative language, words, phrases, images, recurring devices, recurring motifs and clichés shuffled around for artistic effect. Most of the tropes used for world building in sci-if can be traced back to Amazing stories and Weird Tales if not as origin, at least as funnel.
This is how literary and cultural tropes evolve and transform over time, often reappearing in different forms to shape the narratives of various eras. The 1920s were a particularly transformative period for literature and culture, and they continue to influence storytelling today. Here’s an expanded look at how the 1920s contributed to the development and redistribution of tropes in fiction:
- Cultural and Technological Shifts: The 1920s were marked by significant cultural and technological changes. The aftermath of World War I, the rise of consumer culture, urbanization, and advancements in communication and transportation all played a role in shaping the narratives of the time. These shifts provided a backdrop for exploring themes of disillusionment, societal change, and the collision of tradition with modernity in fiction.
- Pulp Magazines and Genre Fiction: Pulp magazines like “Amazing Stories” and “Weird Tales” gained popularity during the 1920s. These publications featured stories spanning various genres, including science fiction, fantasy, horror, and adventure. The stories often employed imaginative and speculative elements, laying the foundation for many tropes that would become integral to these genres.
- Influence on Science Fiction: The speculative and futuristic elements found in pulp magazines influenced the development of science fiction. Tropes like time travel, alien encounters, advanced technology, and dystopian futures gained prominence during this period. Writers like H.G. Wells and Edgar Rice Burroughs contributed to shaping these tropes, which have since become staples in the sci-fi genre.
- Weird Fiction and Horror: The 1920s also saw the emergence of “Weird Tales” magazine, which showcased supernatural and horror fiction. This genre contributed to tropes involving eldritch horrors, forbidden knowledge, cosmic dread, and the blending of reality and the supernatural. Writers like H.P. Lovecraft left an indelible mark on horror fiction, introducing themes that continue to resonate in contemporary horror literature.
- Flappers and Jazz Age: The cultural changes of the 1920s, including the rise of the “flapper” archetype and the vibrant Jazz Age, gave birth to new character tropes and settings. Characters challenging societal norms, embracing rebellion, and engaging in escapism were often depicted against the backdrop of speakeasies, jazz clubs, and extravagant parties.
- Detective Fiction: The 1920s were a golden era for detective fiction, with characters like Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot and Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes gaining popularity. The tropes of brilliant deductive reasoning, intricate mysteries, and enigmatic characters became defining elements of the detective genre.
- Artistic Experimentation: The 1920s witnessed artistic experimentation across various mediums, including literature. This era birthed literary movements like Surrealism, which explored the subconscious and the fantastical. Tropes such as dreamlike landscapes, fragmented narratives, and the blurring of reality and fantasy found their origins in these artistic endeavors.
- Cross-Pollination of Tropes: The diverse range of genres and themes present in 1920s fiction led to a cross-pollination of tropes. Elements from science fiction blended with horror, fantasy intermingled with mystery, and societal changes influenced character development and world-building across genres.
Overall, the 1920s served as a rich source of inspiration for storytelling, fostering the creation and redistribution of tropes that continue to shape modern fiction. The convergence of technological advancements, cultural shifts, and artistic experimentation during this era laid the groundwork for many enduring literary conventions that writers still draw upon to craft their narratives today.