American Literature
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 History of American Literature 1911 $5.99 Time Remaining: 20d 16h 49m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 BURTON ANATOMY OF MELANCHOLY RENAISSANCE VICTORIAN POETRY PSYCHOLOGY LITERATURE $20.00 Time Remaining: 43m |
 THEORY AVANT GARDE ITALIAN LITERARY CRITICISM POETRY POGGIOLI LITERATURE DJ 1968 $43.16 Time Remaining: 1h 23m |
 Easton Press MASTERPIECES OF AMERICAN LITERATURE 11 vols $650.00 Time Remaining: 4d 1h 1m Buy It Now for only: $650.00 |
 NATIONAL SERIES NO V FIFTH READER ENGLISH AMERICAN LITERATURE 1860 $4.99 Time Remaining: 1h 14m |
 1929 RARE LIMITED Edition HIGH SPOTS OF AMERICAN LITERATURE Leather Binding $9.99 Time Remaining: 3d 20h 11m |
 Classic Myths In English Literature edited by C M Gayley 1893 $12.50 Time Remaining: 8d 10h 44m Buy It Now for only: $12.50 |
 MORELAND SLUMBER NOON TEXAS AUTHOR POETRY LITERATURE VERSE RHYME POEMS DJ 1934 $29.05 Time Remaining: 1h 56m |
 1925 An Outline of English Literature JA Hammerton VINTAGE LITERARY HISTORY $4.99 Time Remaining: 1h 31m |
 Antique 1901 CHILDRENS STORYS in AMERICAN LITERATURE 1660 1860 H Wright $14.95 Time Remaining: 29d 2h 39m Buy It Now for only: $14.95 |
 TRYPANIS ELEGIES GLASS ADONIS SIGNED LITERATURE POETRY WILL CARTER GREEK 1967 $21.00 Time Remaining: 3h 22m |
 LITERATURE LIFE BOOK ONE 12 YEAR READING PROGRAM 1931 ENGLISH UNION SCHOOL USA $2.99 Time Remaining: 1h 29m |
 Adventures In American LIterature 1958 HB Olympic Ed $14.95 Time Remaining: 20h 2m Buy It Now for only: $14.95 |
 MARIETTA COLLEGIATE QUARTERLY MAGAZINE LITERATURE OHIO $29.05 Time Remaining: 1h 49m |
 Apr Jul 1851International Monthly Magazine of Literature Science Art Vol 3 $24.99 Time Remaining: 4h 37m |
 Vintage Bible As English Literature 1906 HC Gardiner $14.95 Time Remaining: 23d 20h 55m Buy It Now for only: $14.95 |
 GOOD MORNING BILL WODEHOUSE LITERATURE 3 ACT COMEDY PLAY HUMGARIAN FODOR 1928 $20.00 Time Remaining: 2h 1m |
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 STANDARD HOME LIBRARY THE WORLDS GREATEST LITERATURE $150.00 Time Remaining: 27d 21h 11m Buy It Now for only: $150.00 |
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 BURKE Irish statesman Political Theorist Philosopher Biography Literature c1910 $13.27 Time Remaining: 5d 17h 8m Buy It Now for only: $13.27 |
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 1860 1st MARBLE FAUN NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE Monti Benei 2 Vol American Literature $50.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 2d 18h 33m |
 Run Silent Run Deep Classics of Naval Literature Edward Latimer Beach SIGNED $24.95 Time Remaining: 12d 20h 49m Buy It Now for only: $24.95 |
 LAING LADY IS DEAD LITERATURE MYSTERY THRILLER PHOENIX DETECTIVE FICTION DJ 1951 $20.00 Time Remaining: 2h 28m |
 Evert A Duyckinck CYCLOPAEDIA OF AMERICAN LITERATURE 1855 2Vol Set $95.00 Time Remaining: 2d 4h 33m |
 1908 Crowned Masterpieces of Literature University Ed $16.00 Time Remaining: 7d 11h 42m Buy It Now for only: $16.00 |
 WORLDS GREATEST LITERATURE BOOKS VOLs 6 10 Pub by THE SPENCER PRESS 1936 $12.99 Time Remaining: 1d 16h 27m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 |
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 Polly Olivers Problems by Kate Douglas Wiggin classic childrens literature $5.00 Time Remaining: 18d 13h 58m Buy It Now for only: $5.00 |
 JOHN OHARA SWEET AND SOUR LITERATURE 1954 FIRST EDITION ASSOCIATION COPY $27.30 Time Remaining: 2h 47m |
 NORMAN DOUGLAS AUSTRIAN AUTHOR 1ST AM ED LITERATURE NOVEL BEGINNING FICTION 1928 $27.30 Time Remaining: 3h 21m |
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 EWING MRS OVERTHEWAYS REMEMBRANCES ILLUSTRATED LITERATURE CHILDRENS 1881 $27.30 Time Remaining: 2h 5m |
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 Franklin Library Greatest Masterpieces of American Literature 100 vols complete $4,750.00 Time Remaining: 3d 21h 38m Buy It Now for only: $4,750.00 |
 novelistSTEPHEN CRANE biography by Thomas Beervtg1924 edAmerican literature $9.95 Time Remaining: 1d 23h 40m |
 1919 Readings In American Literature $5.00 Time Remaining: 15h 34m |
 A Treasury of American Literature 2 Volumes 1955 $9.99 Time Remaining: 29d 1h 47m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 ESSAYS ALICE MEYNELL NY SCRIBNERS SONS 1914 LITERATURE COMMENTARIES BOOK ROOM $28.01 Time Remaining: 3h 3m |
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 THE BOOKMAN ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE OF LITERATURE LIFE Sept 1905 to Feb 1906 $49.00 Time Remaining: 19h 48m |
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 FINER GRAIN HENRY JAMES SCRIBNERS 1910 FIRST AMERICAN EDITION LITERATURE $25.00 Time Remaining: 1d 22h 33m |
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 EDITH WHARTON THE REEF LITERATURE ROMANCE LOVE AMERICAN NOVELIST STORY 1912 $25.00 Time Remaining: 1d 22h 17m |
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 1872IVAN TURGENEVantiquevtg Russian LiteratureDym1st American EditionSMOKE $49.95 Time Remaining: 1d 23h 41m |
 1918 ENGLISH LITERATURE BY ROY BENNETT PACE $21.00 Time Remaining: 17h 36m |
 CROWN JEWELS Gems of Literature Art Music 1888 Henry Davenport Northrop HC Book $28.00 Time Remaining: 5d 1h 59m Buy It Now for only: $28.00 |
 Harte POEMS Literature American pre 1920 $37.50 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 26m |
 BEST THINGS FROM AMERICAN LITERATURE 1899 illustrated $14.99 Time Remaining: 1d 11h 47m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
 Harte EAST AND WEST POEMS Literature American pre 1920 $37.50 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 27m |
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 CHAMBERS CYCLOPAEDIA OF ENGLISH LITERATURE 1864 $16.99 Time Remaining: 8d 3h 48m Buy It Now for only: $16.99 |
 Louisiana Studies by Alcee Fortier c1894 Customs Dialects History Literature $49.95 Time Remaining: 3d 24m |
 The Early Poems of James Russell Lowell American Literature 1892 FE $14.99 Time Remaining: 1d 23h 49m |
 The Apocryphal Literature Charles Torrey HC DJ 1946 $20.00 Time Remaining: 21d 12h 44m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 |
 Howells A LETTER OF INTRODUCTION FARCE NOBN Literature American $10.00 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 27m |
 Mabie IN THE FOREST OF ARDEN poetry American Literature $17.50 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 27m |
 1887 ANTIQUE BOOK AN OUTLINE SKETCH OF AMERICAN LITERATURE HENRY A BEERS $5.95 Time Remaining: 24d 6m Buy It Now for only: $5.95 |
 ROBERT STONE A FLAG FOR SUNRISE AUTHOR SIGNED FIRST EDITION DJ LITERATURE 1981 $25.00 Time Remaining: 2d 1h 39m |
 American Literature with Readings PACE $1.99 Time Remaining: 2d 23h 12m |
 AMERICAN LITERATURE $14.00 Time Remaining: 8d 6h 30m Buy It Now for only: $14.00 |
 WORLDS GREATEST LITERATURE BOOKS VOLs 16 20 Pub by THE SPENCER PRESS 1936 $12.99 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 17m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 |
 BODY OF WAKING RUKEYSER POETRY POEMS LITERATURE FICTION BALLAD VERSE 1958 1ST ED $25.00 Time Remaining: 1d 21h 19m |
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 An American Annual of Christmas Literature Art Volume 40 1970 $12.00 Time Remaining: 23d 16h 40m Buy It Now for only: $12.00 |
 THE OXFORD COMPANION TO AMERICAN LITERATURE 1968 $10.00 Time Remaining: 5d 3h 23m |
 HIDING OF BLACK BILL O HENRY PATTERSON ELY RIDGWAY CO 1908 LITERATURE AUTHOR $25.00 Time Remaining: 1d 23h 29m |
 ENGLISH LITERATURE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 1934 $12.00 Time Remaining: 18d 1h 59m Buy It Now for only: $12.00 |
 SPRAGUE TAD STORY BOY NO CHANCE ILLUSTRATED PIONEER LITERATURE CHILDRENS 1912 $25.00 Time Remaining: 2d 2h 22m |
 Henrietta Christian Wright CHILDRENS STORIES IN AMERICAN LITERATURE 1914 $22.95 Time Remaining: 4d 18h 33m |
 1871 The Veil on the Heat Miss LL Phelips Literature $12.99 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 10m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 |
 Bierce THE SHADOW ON THE DIAL classic literature Literature American pre 1920 $162.50 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 27m |
 Stepping Stones to Literature by Sarah Louise Arnold Higher Grades 1898 Book $8.00 Time Remaining: 2d 3h 8m |
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 LIFE OF POETRY MURIEL RUKEYSER POEMS VERSE LITERATURE POETRY MEANING 1ST ED 1949 $25.00 Time Remaining: 1d 23h 23m |
 The Hawthorne Readers Literature Fif the Reader Part I 1902 Manhattan Press $4.95 Time Remaining: 1d 23h |
 A Treasury of American Literature Joe Lee Davis Volume II 1860 Present 1973 $7.75 Time Remaining: 29d 12m Buy It Now for only: $7.75 |
 1889 Library of American Literature 1st Edition 11 Volumes Complete Fine Binding $127.25 Time Remaining: 5d 5h 35m Buy It Now for only: $177.25 |
 Japanese Literature Love of Izayoi Seishin A Kabuk $13.90 Time Remaining: 2d 3h 42m |
 The American Mind 2 Volumes Literature Collection of the United States $7.79 Time Remaining: 19d 1h 49m Buy It Now for only: $7.79 |
 THE PRINCE OF TIDES PAT CONROY ADVANCE UNCORRECTED READING COPY LITERATURE 1986 $25.00 Time Remaining: 2d 2h 47m |
 Whittier THE TENT ON THE BEACH American literature Whittier Poetry $37.50 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 27m |
 1912 Dream Days Kenneth Graham Children Literature $12.99 Time Remaining: 27d 17h 22m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 |
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American Literature
Great American Novel Contenders: To Kill a Mockingbird, The Great Gatsby, and The Scarlet Letter
Amongst many clichés in the world of literature is the concept of the Great American Novel. Some argue that it is still waiting to be written, and some argue that it was written long ago and no piece of fiction that follows will ever touch it. This article aims to examine some of the novels that are generally considered top contenders for the title of Great American Novel.
The first is To Kill a Mockingbird. Written by Harper Lee, the novel examines race relations in the American South in the early 20th century with as much nuance and heart as any scholarly work that exists. It also brought the unforgettable characters of Atticus Finch, Jean Louise (Scout) Finch and Boo Radley into American literature. The novel is frequently taught in American high schools, but the story itself is known to those who haven't read it because of the classic film version starring Gregory Peck. Harper Lee herself has not written any major works since To Kill a Mockingbird, and is highly reluctant to grant interviews or make any public appearances. Her reclusive nature might create an era of mystique around the novel, and increasing public interest in the book.
Next is F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. Gatsby is the quintessential post World War I novel, set just outside of New York City in the wake of the Great War. Though much of nation was suffering economically at this time, the Great Gatsby focuses on a part of the country enjoying extreme wealth, privilege, comfort and extravagance. To make sure that the reader knows that these aspects aren't necessarily being celebrated, Fitzgerald has his narrator, Nick Carraway, be an honest, non-judgmental man from the Midwest, who serves as the moral compass of the novel, though it can also be argued that he might not be the most reliable narrator, and, as a human being himself is also flawed.
Finally, there's Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. The Scarlet Letter tells the tale of Hester Prynne, a woman who is unfaithful to her elderly husband, has a child out of wedlock, and is subsequently forced to wear a red (scarlet) letter "A" (for "adulterer") on herself at all times. Like Arthur Miller's The Crucible, The Scarlet Letter warns against the dangers of judgmental nature and mob mentality. Despite Hester's indiscretions, the reader sympathizes with her situation and it is difficult to watch her endure the judgment and scrutiny she receives from the others in her town. The novel's themes of tolerance and understanding make it an excellent candidate for the title of Great American Novel.
It's likely that scholars will never decide what book actually is the Great American Novel, and that's fine. Readers are lucky to have so much wonderful fiction to choose from when trying to make their decision, and with exciting writers being discovered every day on bookshelves around the country, there doesn't seem to be any shortage of contenders. Of course, not every new author is Harper Lee, F. Scott Fitzgerald or Nathaniel Hawthorne, there's new talent to be discovered around the country, and the debate will live on.
About the Author
Shmoop is an online study guide to learn about To Kill a Mockingbird, Great Gatsby and The Scarlet Letter. Its content is written by Ph.D. and Masters students from top universities, like Stanford, Berkeley, Harvard, and Yale who have also taught at the high school and college levels. Teachers and students should feel confident to cite Shmoop.
What would be the most life-changing book to read for my American Literature class?
The book has to be AMERICAN literature, thanks.
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig is awesome, my top pick. It was published as fiction based on a road trip taken by the author. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen_and_the_Art_of_Motorcycle_Maintainance
Does it have to be fiction? If not, how about The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe? A bit about it is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Electric_Kool-Aid_Acid_Test
If it must be fiction, then maybe On the Road by Jack Kerouac. Read about it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_road
In Watermelon Sugar by Richard Brautigan is a less frenetic, more peaceful gem of a book (in spite of its current lousy cover): http://www.amazon.com/Watermelon-Sugar-Richard-Brautigan/dp/0099437597/ref=tag_tdp_sv_edpp_i/105-9539918-1466006
Or maybe his Trout Fishing in America
Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Livingston_Seagull
Maybe Portnoy's Complaint by Philip Roth. Maybe not life changing, but funny anyway. http://www.time.com/time/2005/100books/0,24459,portnoys_complaint,00.html
Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin http://www.time.com/time/2005/100books/0,24459,go_tell_it_on_the_mountain,00.html
History of American Literature 1