What was the impact of World War II on literature?

World War II had an enormous impact on American Literature, and many post war writers were directly influenced by the war, in both their subject matter and attitudes. Some examples of writers who wrote of the war itself include James Jones, author of "From Here to Eternity" and "The Thin Red Line", Norman Mailer, author of "The Naked and the Dead", and perhaps most significantly Joseph Heller, who wrote the satirical classic "Catch 22", a title which has become part of our lexicon to signify an absurd unwinnable situation. All of these authors share a deep pessimism about the human condition, the absurdity of war, and ultimately, a critical look at the very meaning of human existence in light of the persistence of war. Other post war writers dealt with characters who were deeply affected by the war. They include J.D. Sallinger, who, in "A Perfect Day for Bananafish" has his character, a veteran of World War II, commit suicide in the stories shocking conclusion. Carson McCullers, Truman Capote, and Jack Kerouac presented characters who were clearly brutalized by the conflict they had experienced. World War II affected the writing of post war America significantly.

When analyzing the impact World War II had on literature, it is important to discuss the post-war era. The era itself made a significant impact on the literature at the time. Following the war, America saw a great economic rise for the next couple of decades. Literature of the 1950s shows the growth of the American family as a solid institution; men were the breadwinners while women tended to the home.
While this focus on "American values" sparked interest for many, it drew outrage from others. The Beat Generation was a literary movement, started by the likes of Jack Kerouac, that focused on opposing mainstream post-war culture. Themes such as anti-expansion and the rejection of materialistic values were often seen in this literature.
World War II directly impacted this movement in many ways. Those belonging to this new trend considered it wasteful to continuously look back on the war and to allow it to define the human condition. Many saw their friends and family live as if the war was the reason for their existence. The Beat Generation opposed this and supported the exploration of the future. Ultimately, this postmodern literary movement spawned the "hippie" generation that became iconic of the 1960s. This all stemmed from World War II.
https://www.beatdom.com/the-beat-generation-at-war/