Early American Literature Research Paper

American Literature dates back as far as 1608 when John Smith wrote A True Relation of…Virginia. The 18th and 19th centuries began the publishing of the first novels and authors such a Edgar Allan Poe and Washington Irving began publishing works related to the War of 1812(digital). Literature throughout history has reflected society and reading early American Literature today shines light on not only those outstanding works but also the history of America. Literature not only tells a story but also causes a reader to think and most novels have a deeper meaning, causing readers to find the hidden message. American Literature sheds light on American development and can enlighten modern readers. American Literature often tells a story within …show more content…
The Great Gatsby as talked about above conveys the message that even the richest man in the world could have many worldly possessions but could still be the lonest man in the world and die alone. That message can speak to many powerful and money hungry CEOs of America, which will do anything, to be on top but in the end still die alone. From Maus, a story about the holocaust using rats and pigs to tell the story shows readers how inhumane humans can really be. The Swimmer, teaches readers that just gliding through life is not the best option and when life does comes to an end it really does end and there is not turning back. The drinking, the parties, and fake friends will fade and you will be left with an empty house. “Why, believing as he did, that all human obduracy was susceptible to common sense, was he unable to turn back? Why was he determined to complete his journey even if it meant putting his life in danger? At what point had this prank, this joke, this piece of horseplay become serious”(Cheever)? Neddy Merill realizes at some point in his life that life is not a game and in the end everyone loses because death comes and there are no redo’s in life The Occurrence at Owls Creek gives the lesson of life really does flash before ones eyes and from the moment the board was moved and Farquhar’s death, everything he loved and valued in his life …show more content…
History books are rewritten every year and events may be altered, but novels will always remain the same. Novels were written my people that lived though those events and are written through the eyes of those people. American literature will always tell a unique part of America for generations to