The 20th century was marked by vast changes in themes and values ​​compared to previous decades of writing. This change is due to global disasters and modernization which are affecting the overall perspective of life and humanity. A novel by a writer that demonstrates progression and change over the course of the 20th century is A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh. It is compared to other 20th-century authors, as well as previous novels in his collection, due to its satirical focus and significant change in style and themes. He focused on the truth of humanity based on his own opinions and experiences to convey the message of the importance of tradition and true understanding of modernism. Waugh's novel, A Handful of Dust, is described as one of the most interesting works of literature by several critics and is considered "one of the most important English writers of the 20th century" (Trout 237). The novel caused astonishment, due to the amount of satire, religion and philosophy that appear in the novel, unlike any previous works written by Waugh. In addition, the astonishing difference in style, themes and the significant involvement of Charles Dickens in the novel greatly affected the audience. The novel's significance stands out as one of the few "detailed studies of contemporary West End and country house culture" (Garnett 102). It offers in-depth insight into 20th-century life and writing style, as well as the transformation of writers due to personal grievances and decisions. Before writing this novel, Waugh had converted to Roman Catholicism, hence the reason for the religious themes and moral significance in A Handful of Dust. Additionally, Waugh was dealing with personal problems, such as marriage problems and the inability to find his own...... middle of article...... list: The tone of the early novels by Evelyn Waugh,” in College English, Vol. .24.1, (1962): 362-66. Rep. In Contemporary Literary Criticism. Ed. Deborah A. Schmitt. Vol.107. Detroit: Gale, 1998. (Print). Schmitt, Deborah A., ed. Contemporary literary criticism. Vol.107. Detroit: Gale, 1998. Print. Schoenberg, Thomas J, ed. Literary criticism of the 20th century. Vol.229. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Print. Stannard, Martin, ed. Evelyn Waugh, The Critical Legacy. Vol.1. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1984. Print. Trout, Steven. “Miniaturization and Anticlimax in Evelyn Waugh’s Sword of Honor.” Twentieth Century Literature 43. No.2 (1997): 125-43. Rpt in 20th century literature. Vol.229Ulanov, Barry. “The Ordeal of Evelyn Waugh,” in The Darkened Vision: Perceptions of Selected Twentieth-Century Catholic Novelists, Vol.1. (1970). Rep. in contemporary literary criticism. Flight.107.