American Ethnic Literature Essay

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Literature is words that authors use to express and form works of writing that connect with ideas and interests which have essential features to society. How can one or who as the authority to classify literature into American or American ethnic literature? Is it base on a specific language? A period of time? Or the authors citizenship? I find myself struggling in determining the answer of what constitute literature to be considered American ethnic literature. This country is home to many walks of life that contributed and shared their stories, customs, beliefs and language. Ethnic diversity was a major presence as America was flourishing into a great nation. Major ethnic groups expressed their interests and brought up issues that were important …show more content…
Just like art can mean different to a variety of people. Yes, there are some techniques and standards in creating art and each form of art has a classification. The same can be said about literature. Does American ethnic literature have to be written by a minority group in order to be ethnic? Authors who are of other ethnicity have the techniques and most importantly the right to write on whatever they see fit. Take for example Louis Simpson who was raised and educated in Jamaica. Although his work was mostly on his love of North America because of his citizenship does his work classify as being …show more content…
If an African American writer writes on historical, socio-political, and cultural events from his point of view out of experience. Would his work be more ethnic than that of an American writer who writes on these same issues only presented as one of the characters from his novel? Any form of style of writing can be learned and written that is what a writer strives for, to become a great writer. Still, having experienced such issues or events as an author makes the literature more personal and at times a reader can feel the emotions on the choices of words. Tim O’brien’s The Things They Carried, gives excellent detail and uses figurative language to describe the baggage the soldiers carry. Is this because of his experienced in serving in the military, or because of his

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