Booklist
The Scarlet Letter: Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1850 novel, The Scarlet Letter, is a classic of early American literature. Written at a time when American cultural identity was starting to develop, the author portrays a believable representation of a Puritan colony during the nation’s earliest days. The book tells the story of Hester Prynne, a woman in 17th century Boston—then known just as the Massachusetts Bay Colony—who is forced to wear a scarlet “A” on her chest as punishment for having a baby out of wedlock. Through the story of Hester, Hawthorne explores the community as a whole and the norms and mores under which it operates. (https://www.thoughtco.com/the-scarlet-letter-overview-4588783)
The Great Gatsby, published in 1925, is F. Scott Fitzgerald's most famous novel. Set during the Roaring 20s, the book tells the story of a group of wealthy, often hedonistic residents of the fictional New York towns of West Egg and East Egg. The novel critiques the idea of the American Dream, suggesting that the concept has been corrupted by the careless pursuit of decadence. Though it was poorly received in Fitzgerald’s lifetime, The Great Gatsby is now considered a cornerstone of American literature. (https://www.thoughtco.com/the-great-gatsby-overview-4582166)
Of Mice and Men is a 1937 novella by John Steinbeck. Set during the Great Depression, the book tells the story of George Milton and Lennie Small, two migrant workers and long-time friends employed on a ranch in California. Through its use of colloquial language and detailed characterization, Of Mice and Men offers an unsparing portrait of its characters and the violent and harsh conditions they face. (https://www.thoughtco.com/of-mice-and-men-overview-4581333)
Fences Perhaps Wilson’s most renowned work, Fences explores the life and relationships of Troy Maxson, an activist-minded trash collector, and former baseball hero. The protagonist represents the struggle for justice and fair treatment during the 1950s. This moving drama earned Wilson his first Pulitzer Prize. https://www.thoughtco.com/august-wilson-the-pittsburgh-cycle-plays-2713472
Death of a Salesman, one of Arthur Miller’s Pulitzer Prize-winning plays, narrates the last 24 hours in the life of 63-year-old Willy Loman, a failed salesman who had a distorted idea of the American Dream and work ethic. The play also explores his relationship with his wife, his sons, and his acquaintances. https://www.thoughtco.com/death-of-a-salesman-overview-4588266
If time permits:
The Crucible is a play by American playwright Arthur Miller. Written in 1953, it is a dramatized and fictionalized retelling of the Salem witch trials that took place in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1692-1693. The majority of the characters are real historical figures, and the play serves as an allegory for McCarthyism. (https://www.thoughtco.com/the-crucible-overview-4586394)