Definition of american literature

Literary realism, in particular, introduced a new way of writing and a new generation of authors whose influence can still be seen in american literature and english literature to this day. The united states is home to so many cultures that it is impossible to encapsulate the best work without leaving out important figures. The term naturalism describes a type of literature that attempts to apply scientific principles of objectivity and detachment to its study of human beings. This paper aims to present an extended definition on the meaning of the term american literature. According to them, american literature which in concept at that time also included political and scientific documents was the written record of the american. Modernism, in the fine arts, late 19th to mid20th century, a break with the past and the concurrent search for new forms of expression. Defining american literature 1085 words essay example. Selfdefinition in american literature experience and. American romanticism was the first fullfledged literary movement that developed in the u. Pdf american literature, a definition mark wenger academia. Thus it would seem that one of the principal functions of literature in america has been to serve as a vademecum of americanness, if not of americanism. Again the struggle between the external view and the internal view is stressed. Romanticism in literature is difficult to define simply. Careful survey of literature of a wide variety by authors significantly associated with the united states of america provides an interesting means of appreciating common characteristics of the american peoples.

Literature is defined as books and other written works, especially those considered to have creative or artistic merit or lasting value. American literature is the written or literary work produced in the area of the united states and its preceding colonies. American literature article about american literature by the free. Before the high point of slave narratives, african american literature was. African literature article about african literature by. The writings of the transcendentalists and those of contemporaries such as walt whitman, herman melville, and nathaniel hawthorne, for whom they prepared the ground, represent the first flowering of the american artistic genius and introduced the american renaissance in literature see also american literature. Post the definition of afro american to facebook share the definition of afro american on twitter. The first european settlers of north america wrote about their experiences starting in the 1600s. African literature, literary works of the african continent. American literature, the body of written works produced in the english language in the united states.

American modernist literature was a dominant trend in american literature between world war i and world war ii. Realism definition, interest in or concern for the actual or real, as distinguished from the abstract, speculative, etc. It fostered a period of experimentation in literature, music, dance, visual art, and architecture. For this theme is what prompted the earliest american literature, freedom is the reason colonists first set foot in the new world, the reason for fighting against british rule, and so on. Anglo american definition is an inhabitant of the u. The realism art movement of the nineteenth century was a dramatic shift from the exotic and poetic romanticism that dominated the art world in the decades prior. The modernist era highlighted innovation in the form and language of poetry and prose, as well as addressing numerous contemporary topics, such as race relations, gender and the human condition. American literature article about american literature by. Derived from the latin word literature meaning writing formed with letters, literature most commonly refers to works of the creative imagination, including poetry, drama, fiction, nonfiction, and in some instances, journalism, and song. In the most general terms, gothic literature can be defined as writing that employs dark and picturesque scenery, startling and melodramatic narrative devices, and an overall atmosphere of exoticism, mystery, fear, and dread. John smith wrote in the tradition of geographic literature, bradford echoed the cadences of the king james bible, while the mathers and roger williams wrote bejeweled prose typical of the day. Literature dictionary definition literature defined.

Chicano literature tends to focus on themes of identity, discrimination, and culture, with an emphasis on validating mexican american culture or chicano culture in the united states. Literature definition is writings in prose or verse. American writing began with the work of english adventurers and. The american literary canon, or the books deemed important enough to teach in schools and survive over generations, is a fraught subject. The question of exactly who is classified as native american is a controversial. The movement began in literature in the mid19th century, and became an important tendency in visual art in the early 20th century. Often, a gothic novel or story will revolve around a large, ancient house that conceals a terrible secret or serves as the refuge of an especially frightening and. The definition of a classic piece of literature can be a hotly debated topic. For more specific discussions of poetry and theater, see poetry of the united states and theater in the united states. Another topic of interest in native american literature is the concept of personal identity and definition.

Beginning in the prerevolutionary war period, african american writers have engaged in a creative, if often contentious, dialogue with american letters. During its early history, america was a series of british colonies on the eastern coast of the presentday united states. Afroamerican definition of afroamerican by merriamwebster. American realism was a style in art, music and literature that depicted contemporary social realities and the lives and everyday activities of ordinary people. Transcendentalism definition, transcendental character, thought, or language. Transcendentalism definition of transcendentalism at.

American literature comprises of the body of written works produced in the english language in the united states. American literature, literature in english produced in what is now the united states of america. African literature consists of a body of work in different languages and various genres, ranging from oral literature to literature written in colonial languages french, portuguese, and english. American literature is very important for the education.

American literature portrays these beliefs by creating characters that strive to build good lives for themselves, and not have to rely on others to accomplish their goals. We cannot example, that american literature is literature written i ica. It is often associated with the social and cultural claims of the chicano movement. Information and translations of american literature in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Dictionaries define a short story as a story with a fully developed theme but significantly shorter and less elaborate than a novel. Africanamerican definition and meaning collins english.

Literature definition, writings in which expression and form, in connection with ideas of permanent and universal interest, are characteristic or essential features, as poetry, novels, history, biography, and essays. It can be divided into five major periods, each of which has unique characteristics, notable authors, and representative works. Throughout his life, willy tried to become a successful businessman and prove. The history of american literature stretches across more than 400 years. This lesson identifies four important themes in modern american literature.

Literature definition of literature by merriamwebster. Language in american literature 1160 words 5 pages. American literature comprises all the written works produced in the united states and its preceding colonies. American literature from 1865 to 1914 often receives a definition expressed in terms of the realistic movement, which is the attempt to depict subjects according to lifelike ways, without any particular interpretation or exaggeration. Given the size of the united states and its varied population, there are often several literary movements happening at the same time. Results page 2 for american literature essay topics bartleby. Africanamericans are black people living in the united states who are descended from. All 17thcentury american writings were in the manner of british writings of the same period. A brief guide to american literary periods, including the colonial, renaissance, beat, and contemporary, along with examples. American literature is literature written or produced in the united states of america and its preceding colonies before the founding of the united states, the.

While most people associate the word romantic with love, in a literary context it is something much different. In death of a salesman, the protagonist, willy loman demonstrates the concept of individualism. Definition of american literature in the dictionary. For almost a century and a half, america was merely a group of colonies scattered along the eastern seaboard of the north american continentcolonies from which a few hardy souls. In its earliest days, during the 1600s, american literature consisted mostly of practical nonfiction written by british settlers who populated the colonies that would become the united states. Angloamerican definition of angloamerican by merriam. American literature is literature written or produced in the united states of america and its preceding colonies for specific discussions of poetry and theater, see poetry of the united states and theater in the united states. Like other national literatures, american literature was shaped by the history of the country that produced it. It is a vehicle through which chicanos express and represent themselves, and is.

We might do well to find fault with that final clause there are many short stories that are as elaborate or even more elaborate than commonly published novels. It was made up of a group of authors who wrote and published between about 1820 and 1860, when the u. It begins with the works of such late 18thcentury writers as phillis wheatley. African american literature is the body of literature produced in the united states by writers of african descent. However, this hasnt stopped literary scholars from making an attempt. Selfdefinition in american literature experience and fulfillment. American literature does not easily lend itself to classification by time period. However, there are some tenets that the classics, in the context of books and literature, all have in common. Literature is a term used to describe written and sometimes spoken material. The result is a literature rich in expressive subtlety. Mark wenger, professor of english, columbia international university.