Literature

INDEX

INTRODUCTION 2. LYRIC GENRE 3. DRAMA

-19th Century (Characteristics+Authors) -19th Century (Characteristics+Authors)

-20th Century (Characteristics+Authors) -20th Century (Characteristics+Authors)

4. NARRATIVE GENRE 5. CURRENT WRITERS

-19th Century (Characteristics+Authors)

-20th Century (Characteristics+Authors)

1. Introduction

-American literature was mainly influenced by its history, meaning that it’s really diverse and dynamic. It arose from European literature and goth English novels.

- We can divide American literature into 3 main literary genres: Lyric, drama and narrative genres.

2. Lyric Genre

2.1. 19th CENTURY

2.1.1. Characteristics:

-First stage:

-Early American poetry imitated English metrics and topics. It was mainly influenced by European romanticism.

-They employed symbolization, a lyrical worldview, psychology, admiration for nature and a simple language.

-Second stage:

-Their aim was to achieve as much realism as possible, so they described each person or place as thoroughly as possible.

-They wrote about daily things.

2.1.2 Authors:

WALT WHITMAN

He’s considered the father of modern American poetry. He wrote his best work during 1855, “Leaves of Grass”. It’s an epic (epopeya) about the history of the United States. It talks about equality, love over nature and eroticism.

EMILY DICKINSON

This poet dedicated her whole life to poetry. While she was alive, her work was kept hidden; but after her death, her younger sister discovered it and published it. Some important poems are: “Because I could not stop for Death” or “I'm Nobody! Who are you?”

2.2. 20th CENTURY

2.2.1. Characteristics:

-American literature changed radically. Authors employed their own particular forms of expression, defending society or expressing much more intimate feelings, without hiding feelings such as suffering.

2.2.2. Authors:

SYLVIA PLATH

She’s considered one of the founding authors of the "confessional poetry" genre, which talks about the poet's life (including topics such as sexuality and mental illness). Main poetry collections: “The Colossus” and “Ariel”.

ROBERT FROST

He wrote about rural life and emotions. Important poems: “Mending Wall” and “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”.

3. Drama (Theatre)

3.1. 19th CENTURY

3.1.1. Characteristics:

- American drama of the 19th century arose from the imitation of European drama, especially from the English one.

-It was the most popular form of entertainment.

-They were quite diverse: Mellow dramas, black minstrels shows, political satires, comic operas…

3.1.2. Authors:

GEORGE MELVILLE BAKER

He was an American publisher and playwright who created his own print: "George M. Baker & Co". Some important books: "Once on a Time": A Drama in Two Acts ... and “Messmates”: A Drama in Three Acts.

ANNA CORA MOWATT

Her most popular work is “Fashion”, published in 1845.

3.2. 20th CENTURY

3.2.1. Characteristics:

-The 20th C. American drama was characterized by its focus on social problems and ordinary life.

-The first half of this century was focused on realism, and the second half drama was mostly experimental productions.

3.2.2. Authors:

EUGENE O'NEILL

His most significant work was the tragedy: "Long Day's Journey Into Night”, which was published in 1956.

TENNESSEE WILLIAMS

Some of his most important plays are: “The Glass Menagerie” (1944) and “A Streetcar Named Desire” (1947)

4. Narrative Genre

4.1. 19th CENTURY

4.1.1. Characteristics:

-Writers left behind them the European influence and began to build a national literature.

4.1.2. Authors:

HERMAN MELVILLE

He wrote short stories, poems and novels. His best work was “Moby-Dick”, published in 1851, which is considered as one of the best American novels.

EDGAR ALLAN POE:

He was a literary critic, editor, writer and poet. He’s considered the inventor of the detective novel and is known for his mysterious and horror stories, such as: “The Raven” (1845) and “The Black Cat” (1843).

4.2. 20th CENTURY

4.2.1. Characteristics:

-They kept using realism in 20th Century novels.

4.2.2. Authors: