American Literature

AMERICAN LITERATURE

American literature is younger than British literature, because the United States became an independent country much later. In the beginning, there were mainly religious texts, travel accounts, and historical writings. Real American literature developed mostly in the 19th century and later became very rich and diverse. It reflects the history of the USA, but also themes like freedom, identity, racism, social inequality, war, family, and the American Dream.

The American Dream means the belief that anyone can achieve success, freedom, and a better life through hard work and determination. It is often connected with wealth, independence, a house, family, and the idea of living a successful life. However, many American Dream can be difficult, unfair, or even impossible for some people.

Important Authors and Works

• EDGAR ALLAN POE (1809–1849)

One of the most important early American writers. He is known for his dark, gothic, and mysterious stories and poems. His famous works include The Tell-Tale Heart, The Raven, and The Fall of the House of Usher. He helped develop the modern short story and detective fiction. His texts are often scary, sad, and full of psychological tension.

• NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE (1804–1864)

Another early American short-story writer. Famous for his novel The Scarlet Letter.

• MARK TWAIN (1835–1910)

By real name Samuel Clemens. He is often called „the father of American literature“. His bestknown books are The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Twain wrote about life in the American South, and he often criticized racism, social inequality, and hypocrisy. At the same time, his books are humorous and full of vivid characters.

• FRANCIS SCOTT FITZGERALD (1896–1940)

A member of the Lost Generation group. One of the most famous writers of the 20th century. He is best known for The Great Gatsby, which is often seen as a key novel about the American Dream. Fitzgerald also wrote the novel Tender Is the Night, which was inspired by his experiences with his mentally ill wife. His works show wealth, ambition, love, disappointment, and the excitement but also emptiness of the Jazz Age. He often presents the American Dream as something beautiful, but also fragile and tragic.

• ERNEST HEMINGWAY (1899–1961)

Famous for his simple and direct style, which is often called the iceberg theory. His best-known works are The Old Man and the Sea, A Farewell to Arms, For Whom the Bell Tolls, and The Sun

Also Rises. Hemingway often wrote about war, courage, masculinity, and human suffering. His characters are usually strong on the outside, but emotionally very deep. He was a Nobel Prize winner in 1954.

• THEODORE DREISER (1871–1945)

Was another important American novelist. He wrote about ambition, society, and the dark side of success. His famous books are Sister Carrie and An American Tragedy. Dreiser often showed how the American Dream can fail and how society can be unfair to people who came from poorer backgrounds.