American literature encompasses novels, short stories, poetry, biographies and autobiographies, plays, essays, literary criticism and other forms of written works that express the unique American identity of their authors. These works distinguished by distinctive styles and topics they address.
The earliest American literature began with writings by colonists, such as John Smith’s histories of Virginia and Thomas Paine’s political pamphlets. These works heavily influenced by European works and often written in a language other than English.
Revolutionary Period
In the Revolutionary Period, American literature marked by political writings such as the Declaration of Independence and Federalist papers. These documents had a major influence on American policy and considered among the greatest pieces of political writing ever created.
In the 18th century, writers greatly shaped by scientific, economic, and social advancements – known as “The Enlightenment.” These changes revolutionized how people perceived human and natural events; they also altered religion’s role in society while helping establish democratic principles.
American literature during this era was largely a product of British culture, though it began to break away in the early 19th century. The introduction of the novel marked an important milestone in the growth and development of an authentically American literary canon.
Poets such as Phillis Wheatley, Philip Freneau, and William Hill Brown became renowned for their work during this era. They contributed to the emergence of a new style of poetry that was more personal and descriptive than traditional English poems.
Many writers recounted their experiences during the American Revolution. Many included vivid descriptions of battles that illustrated both its intensity and that of its participants.
In addition to literary fiction, there was also an abundant presence of non-fiction writing during the Revolutionary Period. Biographies, memoirs, and histories written by men and women who lived through the war, providing readers with a firsthand account of life during the American Revolution.
Another popular form of writing was satire, which often took the form of parody or exaggeration of historical events. John Trumbull’s “M’Fingal,” for instance, was one of the most popular satirical pieces during this time period; it features a clownish Loyalist who asserts that tyranny is justice in an ironic portrayal of tensions between Patriots and Loyalists.
Dramatic performances were common during this era. Playwrights such as Henry James and Thomas Jefferson took inspiration from European theater but created plays that were uniquely American in content. Notable plays during this period include John Leacock’s The Fall of British Tyranny, John Neal’s Adulateur and George Washington’s The Soldier.
Romantic Period
The Romantic Period in American literature took place from 1810 to 1850 and marked a time of political and economic upheaval that upheld personal liberties. People moved away from cities to the countryside to create lives of their own, which necessitated the need for an individual identity for American literature. With this shift came immigration waves that further contributed to its unique character.
Romantic literature characterized by themes such as nature, isolation and melancholy; an appreciation of the common man; idealization of women; personification and pathetic fallacy. These ideas can find throughout works written by American writers during this period – poetry, essays, drama and even art itself.
William Wordsworth’s poems often focus on nature and how it has affected him. In The Prelude, he discusses the value of growing up in nature and how this experience has shaped him as a poet.
Henry David Thoreau’s Walden (1918) also promoted nature-reconnection and its positive effects on humanity. This work served as a great inspiration to American Romantic writers, inspiring them to view the world with fresh eyes.
Other influential writers during this time included Jane Austen, Eugene O’Neill and Thornton Wilder. These authors created a realistic vision of America that had an immense effect on other writers in American literature.
Another major theme in American Romantic literature was personal freedom and spirituality. These authors believed that mankind should take time to explore their minds and emotions in order to gain a greater insight and comprehension of themselves.
Thus, American literature during the Romantic Period became more personal than ever before. At this time, people felt free to express their emotions without fear of judgement or condemnation.
This also allowed for greater creativity, as a writer could make their work as intricate or detailed as desired. This encouraged more successful women writers and produced relatable heroines.
Romanticism was also an ideal time to write stories involving the supernatural or paranormal. Some of history’s best tales, such as Edgar Allan Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart and Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, dealt with these topics.
19th Century
In the late 19th century, American literature underwent a significant evolution. This era marked by an emphasis on native characters, settings, and themes; additionally, realism introduced into drama for the first time in American history.
In the nineteenth century, authors such as Stephen Crane and Mark Twain focused on depicting real life events – even those that were unpleasant. This trend also inspired slave narratives and other works designed to foster empathy towards slaves.
The nineteenth century saw the dominance of novels, poetry, short stories and plays; however, the writing of history and biography also gained importance. These authors used vivid imagery to capture their subjects’ lives, often considered among the best historical writers in existence.
Some of America’s most influential works written during this era, such as Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence and Federalist essays. Other influential authors include Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay, and Fisher Ames.
This period marked a time of social upheaval, with both the Civil War and Great Depression. These events caused widespread disillusionment that reflected in literature. This encouraged some writers to experiment with new styles and values; many influential figures from modernist literature emerged during this time – F. Scott Fitzgerald, Willa Cather, Ernest Hemingway, and William Faulkner among them.
At this time, America was also developing its own dramatic tradition, with Eugene O’Neill as one of its key figures. By the 1920s and 1930s, this tradition gained international recognition.
In the late twentieth century, there were many celebrated poets such as Robert Frost, E.E. Cummings and Langston Hughes; additionally, influential novelists like William Faulkner and John Steinbeck emerged during this time period.
Another notable development during this time period was the growth of ethnic studies. This movement emerged out of ethnic pride and encouraged non-white or ethnic minority authors to write works which weren’t previously consider worthy for academic study.
20th Century
In the 20th century, there was an explosion of American writers and forms of writing. Additionally, it marked the inception of modernist movements in poetry and drama.
This period witnessed the development of new literary forms as well as an enhanced interest in American culture and history. These trends can see in the works of notable writers such as George Santayana and Mark Twain.
At this juncture in history, many important issues explored through literature: slavery and abolitionism, race relations, religion and feminism. Some of these topics elaborated upon more deeply in fiction such as Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Underground Railroad; others through more dramatic forms like Nathaniel Bannister’s Putnam, the Iron Son of ’76 or Dion Boucicault’s The Octoroon; or Life in Louisiana.
Further, literature began to reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of America. Authors such as Pauline Hopkins, Sui Sin Far, and Maxine Hong Kingston wrote novels featuring Asian-Americans.
One of the foundational beliefs in America is self-determination – that each individual has the freedom to pursue life, liberty and happiness as they choose. Yet even for “self-made” individuals there are bounds.
This issue tackled head-on in the works of writers like Edith Wharton, Stephen Crane and Theodore Dreiser who painted a vivid portrait of social classes across different settings. They were particularly critical of high-class society which they perceived as insipid and sterile.
Henry James, for instance, often highlighted the plight of poor and working-class people in his works. He also explored the connection between Old World values and New World ideals.
In the 20th century, influential American poets like Wallace Stevens and Hart Crane emerged. These writers revolutionized traditional forms of poetry with new techniques and styles that were ground breaking at their time. These writers exemplified modernism’s goal to challenge established forms while creating fresh ones.
Recommended readings:
- What is Essay Writing?
- What is a Novel?
- What Is Literature?
- What is Writing?
- What is a Narrative Essay?
