American Pastoral

Historical Context and Significance

Philip Roth's «American Pastoral» is a significant work of American literature that explores the theme of the American Dream's disintegration. The book depicts the life of Seymour Levov, a successful businessman and athlete, whose life falls apart due to his daughter's radical actions in the 1960s. The novel touches on the social and political upheavals of the time, such as the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement, and shows how these events affect personal life and family relationships. The book's influence on culture lies in its deep analysis of American identity and critique of the idealized American lifestyle. The novel won the Pulitzer Prize and received critical acclaim for its powerful prose and complex themes.