American Literature Flashcards, test questions and answers

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What is American Literature?

American literature is a vast and varied field that has been written over many centuries. It includes works of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, drama, and more. Its authors come from different backgrounds and experiences which reflect the cultural diversity found in America.The earliest American literature was written by Native Americans who had been living on the continent for generations before Europeans arrived in the 16th century. This early literary tradition included stories of creation, oral histories passed down through generations, religious texts such as The Popol Vuh (the sacred book of Central American civilizations), and other forms of writing like songs or poetry. These writings provide insight into the beliefs and values held by these ancient societies.In the 17th century, European settlers began to bring their own traditions to North America along with them. Early colonial writers wrote about their new lives in America while still reflecting upon their European roots. Works like Cotton Mather’s Magnalia Christi Americana helped chronicle this period of history while also providing spiritual guidance to those settling in New England colonies at the time. As American independence grew closer during this time period so did its literature; Thomas Paine’s Common Sense was one example of an influential work that encouraged people to fight for freedom from British rule while Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography provided an inspiring account for how hard work could lead to success no matter where you started out in life. The 19th century saw a surge in popular publications as well as some of America’s greatest novels being published including Herman Melville’s Moby Dick (1851) and Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1852). Henry David Thoreau wrote his classic essay Civil Disobedience which would later influence figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., while Walt Whitman produced Leaves Of Grass a collection that changed how people thought about poets forevermore with its frank discussions on love, death, nature and democracy just to name a few topics covered within it pages.. Twain broke all kinds of boundaries with his satirical novel The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn(1884). Edgar Allan Poe completely revolutionized horror writing when he penned tales like The Fall Of The House Of Usher (1839)and The Tell Tale Heart (1843). Emily Dickinson emerged as one of America’s most beloved poets due her ability to capture moments both mundane everyday beauty or greater philosophical truths . With her words she opened up new worlds full exploration possibilities within language itself . Her sentiment continued into 20th Century modernist poetry ,where Gertrude Stein became known for her experimental approach writing . While Langston Hughes spoke candidly on issues pertaining race & class throughout his works .