Why did Fruits of the Earth become influential after World War I?

Although Fruits of the Earth (Les Nourritures terrestres) was published in 1897, it initially failed to gain significant attention. Its rise to prominence occurred after World War I, as it resonated deeply with the postwar generation.1

The work became influential because it encouraged French youth to question traditional family values and societal norms, urging them to look toward the future rather than the past. By advocating for the liberation of the individual, the text prompted readers to express themselves fully and follow their own impulses, free from the fear of sin or the constraints of social hypocrisy. This call to authenticity and self-expression provided a powerful response to the disillusionment of the era, helping to open the door to the political radicalism of subsequent generations.21