An Analysis of American Literature

American Literature looks at and depicts our American Heritage. It goes into depth what many history books could never cover. Whether it’s poetry, drama, novel, short story, biography, satire, humor, or folk literature, all Literature holds a special place in many Americans hearts. America has produced every type of literature, and has done it well. The first American writings were not literature. They were reports of what was happening to the settlers. The colonists kept diaries and wrote their travels and the new country.

They made reports of religious and political progress. All of these writings were sent back to friends in England. Most of them were dull, but some were humorous and enlivened with lively stories. As the country grew, men began to think more and more about governing themselves. Writings about politics and society became more popular. A note of liberty and rebellion were read in almost every kind of American Literature.

There were many famous American authors who helped bring America a sense of liberty, history, courage, and romance.

They gave us a greater and in better depth insight of our past. Authors such as: Emerson, Hawthorne, Melville, Poe, and Whitman, are some of Americans greatest American Literature authors. Their goals and writings may have been different, but all gave America a powerful look at our American History. Emerson, preached a gospel of individualism and self reliance. He wrote a series of essays about the unlimited powers within the soul. Hawthorne, was deeply concerned over the problems of sin and conscience.

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His novel, ” The Scarlet Letter”, was one of the most searching analyses of the soul of man in American letters. Melvile, was best known for his romantic writings. His experience at sea gave him abundant material for his writings. Poe’s, haunting lyrical poetry took readers into the darkest realms of the mind. His poems and tales started the Symbolist movement in France. Another great Lit. poet was Whitman. Whitman wrote of himself and the new America which he loved. His writings were about people in America, on farms, in cities, working in the wheat fields of the prairie states, and fighting in the Civil war battles. Whitman’s vision of America is noble and poetic. American Literature not only reflects our country’s background, but it symbolizes our American dreams and battles that we still conquer to this day. I believe American Literature is just as important to us as our American History.