Reflection In American Literature

Reflection In American Literature
A year ago today I was finishing up my sophomore year in American Literature. I was a good student in that class and tried to do as much as I could
to prepare myself for one of the most challenging years of my high school career. Some of the tasks I had to complete for these classes were
comprehensive essays from the collective amount of books we read in and out of class; such as Great Gatsby, Catcher in the Rye, The Odyssey, etc. In
American Literature and the year before in English 9, my writing styles included experimenting with various and sophisticated forms of vocabulary
along with comprehensive details and opinionated commentary. I don't know where the strong use of vocabulary came from, but it's worked out for
me in the end. My commentary is very detailed and the use of my vocabulary only strengthened my details. Those were my strengths that I could bring
to the table, but there were plenty of weaknesses that lead me to taking this class that I hoped to improve on. My problem was organizing my
information to get the best message across to the reader. You can have the most important and influential information, but if you can't put into the right
context to pull in the reader, it does no good. I had all the right information and quality content, but when I struggled to put that information in the right
ways, it made an unlikely perceptive path straight to the reader. Which is why sometimes my content can be hard to understand and fully get a grasp
on it. I also
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Essay on Nature in American Literature
Nature in American Literature In American Literature many authors write about nature and how nature affects man's lives. In life, nature is an
important part of people. Many people live, work, or partake in revelry in nature. Nature has received attention from authors spanning several centuries.
Their attitudes vary over time and also reflect the different outlooks of the authors who chose to discuss this important historical movement. A further
examination of this movement, reveals prevalence of nature's influence on man and how it affects their lives. An early work in American Literature,
Thanatopsis, is also one of the most influential works of nature and how it affects man. This work portrays nature as...show more content...
In this work, man is an object in the middle of living nature. Nature itself draws us from dependence upon the past and invites us to a richer state of
being. Do not remember the past for "[t]he sun shines today...[t]here is more wool and flax in the fields...[t]here are new lands, new men, new
thoughts"(215). Which suggests that because there is always a tomorrow. Man should not focus on the present and be more concentrated on what will
be happening in the future. Emerson believed that nature was beautiful and nowhere else on earth could he find the majestic settings of the macrocosm.
As Emerson declares "[in] wilderness, [he finds] something more dear and connate than in streets or villages"(216). He cannot find anything more
loved and kindred than in towns and cities than what he finds in nature. Unlike Thanatopsis, Emerson focuses on the living and not the defunct. He tells
us that "[in] the tranquil landscape, and especially in the distant line of the horizon, man beholds somewhat as beautiful as his own nature"(216). Man's
nature is more beautiful than the outside of his exterior. Therefore, according to this attitude, man's life is just a mere dot in this world of blackness. In
1854 Thoreau wrote the short story "of Walden", eighteen years later from the publication "of Nature" and forty–three years later from the publication
of "Thanatopsis. In this work Thoreau presents an

The Evolution of American Literature
The Evolution of American Literature
Early American literature may be said to begin with the Colonial period. John Smith and John Winthrop are two examples of the types of writing at
this period: the former kept a romantic journal of his adventures in the New World; the latter kept a journal (or history) of life in New England, where
religious matters were of utmost importance. The Puritans had come seeking a life free from religious persecution (which, they ironically brought with
them however, as their descendent Nathaniel Hawthorne would show in The Scarlet Letter).
Religious topics continued to dominate early American literature in the 18th century, for example, in the works of Jonathan Edwards and Cotton
Mather. Their strict Calvinistic, Puritanical views gave their writings a "fire–and–brimstone" type of style a inflammatory rhetoric meant to rouse
religious fervor (Baym 103). Both Hawthorne and Herman Melville (another later generation New Englander) would focus some of their most
important works of literature on their Calvinist roots. In contrast to these fiery preachers, however, were the mid–17th century poems of Anne
Bradstreet, the first published female New England poet. Her poems are dominated by a steady calm and loving confidence in Providence and are
much sweeter in tone.
The Romantic period developed in America in the 19th century, with the Gothic/Romantic stories of Edgar Allan Poe and the quasi–religious,
transcendentalist poetry of Ralph Waldo

The Beginning Of American Literature Essay
The beginning of American literature started in the 17th century when pirated, adventurers, and explorers started to write about the new continent.
These people became permanent colonists. The writing during this time varied in terms of quality and subjects. This early literature was made up of
creation myths, travel journals, history writing, poetry, religious writing, and personal narratives. Creation myths are some one of the six genres we see
in the beginning of American literature. They are a symbolic narrative of how the world began and how people first came to inhabit it. Many of
the Native American creation myths show a strong resemblance to Genesis. Percy Bullchild, a Blackfeet Indian from Browning, Montana,
describes the beginning of his people as stated: "This story is about a lone spirit that lived in this spiritual place before there was a world of any kind of
life ... He has been alive from ever and will continue to live forever ... Life is given to all of us humans and to all the creations of the earth ..."
(Bullchild). This tribe describes the Creator God as the Creator Sun. The first beings were snakes that rebelled against their creator and were
punished. Then describes the Creator Sun making people in his image. This is an example of part of a creation story. The majority of stories indicate
that a creation where people are given, along at the time of creation, awareness that they were created. Similar to Genesis, the stories follow how we
will be judged at

Literature In American Literature
American Literature started in the seventeenth century, beginning with the arrival of English speaking Europeans in what would become the
United States. Authors throughout history have shaped the way we look at literature in the present time. Authors have created works of art that
inspired social change in the American States. Literature was being made based on what was happening in the country at the time. Authors
wanted people to read their stories, poems and magazines and then look at life from a different perspective. Authors expressed their beliefs
through their work. Authors have used works of literature to inspire social change in America with pieces including The Fall of the House of
Usher as well as I Hear America Singing and An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge. The Fall of the House of Usher was a storied created by a
highly respected author, Edgar Allen Poe. The story came out in the 1830's. Poe was known for his dark, eerie and gloomy writings. He inspired
Americans to notice the darkness in the world, and not take life for grandit. In his writing of The Fall of the House of Usher he wrote, "and in her
violent and now final death agonies, bore him to the floor a corpse, and a victim to the terror he had anticipated (Allan Poe 326)." Poe put fear of
death in the hearts of many americans, but he also put the fear of darkness in their hearts too. In another section of the story, it reads, "of the dark and
tattooed drapes, which, tortured into motion by the breath of

A Brief Introduction to American Literature
Introduction
American literature, to my eyes, like American history, although short, however, still full of glories and shining masterpieces and writers. Those
American writers, while conquering this wild America, also had conquered the great field of American literature. From its first imitative activities to
innovative attempts nowadays, American literature gradually gains its unique style, theme and form, and IВЎВЇm always excited to see their works
are more and more America in its true sense. American literature is part of worldВЎВЇs literature, however, it always has its unique flavor that cannot
be easily ignored.
Most critics hold that the history of American literature can be divided into six parts, orderly, colonial period,...show more content...
2. Development
Romanticism developed from its early stage to its high stage with changes both in style and theme.
Early romanticism was more or less imitative of British literature of Romanticism. They were experimental and conformist. At that time, the new
United States of America was in a period of development, growth, experimentation and search. Above all, it was a time of extension of the American
nation and the American identity. During this period, some American writers did begin to attract notice abroad and their books drew attention of
important foreign figures. Although English literary models were still admired, the American writers soon turned to the American civilization and
found their materials in the culture and history of their native land.
American Romanticism reached its peak with some literary giants in Romantics ©в‚¬ Poe, Whitman, Dickinson, Hawthorn and Melville. They created
for themselves a new personality. High Romantists lived in a period of vast commercial expansion when Americans had more opportunities, more
freedom and believed that United States was the greatest nation on earth. However, romantic writers, otherwise, tended to depict the darkness of the
country, and therefore, their works endure deeper power.
3.Characteristics

The characteristic of romanticism can be summed up

Language In American Literature
Freedom, perhaps the most reoccurring theme throughout the history of America. For this theme is what prompted the earliest American literature,
freedom is the reason colonists first set foot in the new world, the reason for fighting against British rule, and so on. From then to following the civil
war and on to today, literature has played a significant role in the shaping of the nation. Through the writings of many influential American authors,
literature has dominated the ever–changing American culture. Through using various literary devices in their works such as dialect, symbolism, and
conflict, they were able to demonstrate race, gender and culture to express the constant development of the America we know today. "The Goophered
Grapevine" by Charles Chesnutt was first published in Atlantic Monthly in 1887 (Baym 1642). The renowned short story became best known for its
use of southern dialect, reflecting the style of language spoken by everyday African Americans in the south. With the majority of the story narrated
from Julius's point of view, a black individual speaking with a regional dialect, he seeks to share aspects of the background of blacks to the white
congregation in hopes to bond together the divide highlighted by the contrasting dialects between the two races. Throughout much of the story one is
able to find examples of this regional dialect reflecting race in the south. For example, when Julius stated "w'en de darkies see dat Yankee runnin' 'roun
de

The Colonial Period Of American Literature
The Colonial Period in American Literature Blake Quickel The Colonial Period of American Literature was vital not only to the timeline of literature in
our country, but it shaped the values and tradition that we identify America with. Literature from this period gives us a look into the beginnings of our
country from different views such as Poems and stories from Native culture, Puritans, and the founding fathers. These writings give us an honest view
of the way of life during this time. The Puritan writings we read in this class were very interesting in how they showed the early stages of America's
religion. Although religion in our government and our country's values has become less and less extreme over time, it is amazing knowing how much
control it had over society in our country's beginnings; and many of the morals exorcised in the Puritan culture are still values relevant to our society
today. In a reading from the "Introduction: Puritan Voices" assignment (a), the writer refers to the Massachusetts Bay Colony as a "man's world",
describing the limited roles of women in society and how men were portrayed in the church as superior. Puritan ministers often preached that the soul
had two parts, the immortal masculine half, and the mortal feminine half. Gender inequality is an enormous part of American Literature throughout all
periods, and here you can see where these values originated in our country. Puritan society exists as a valid demonstration for why the first

literature in America Essay
When I think of America, I think of freedom. We live in a country where we can do what we choose. We can express our opinions and live our own
lives. Individuals can form their own individual beliefs and they can do what they want and pursue what they wish. They can play basketball, go to
school, get a job, have a family, buy a house, or go to church. We are free. We have opportunity to be whatever we want to make ourselves. When you
ask, what is an American? I find it no different to ask, what is freedom? America and freedom are intertwined and this relationship is evident in
American literature.
The notion of freedom and everything relating to freedom unites all of the American literature we have read. In Twain's Huckleberry Finn, Huck...show
more content...
In Self Reliance, Emerson explains that our freedom to choose and our ability to think what we want to think define what America is. I believe it is
characteristic of Americans to strive for what they think is right. In Poe's the House of Usher, Usher decided to bury his sister alive. I think this story
can relate to us today. Many people would say that America is known for persevering through rough times. I'd say the last few years have been a
rough time for America, from 9/11 to now––the war in Iraq. Sometimes situations may seem unbeatable, like being trapped in a coffin, but if you fight
hard enough, like we are against the terrorists and in Iraq, you can overcome anything. American's can overcome anything. Usher's sister was buried
alive and finally broke from the coffin after a week of struggle. Also, many of the authors we have studied describe nature in riveting detail. To them
and to me, our beautiful nature represents something more then just what you see with your eye–it represents America's freedom. In Emerson's Nature,
Thorpe's The Big Bear of Arkansas, Twain's Huckleberry Finn, Bryant's Thanatopsis, and Edwards' Shadows of Divine Things, we see an apparent
love and lust of nature by the authors. The great aspects of nature represent the great aspects of America–freedom. The mountains and trees scatter in
nature in pure harmony just like the American people live freely in America. The authors had a fascination

Essay about Early American Literature
Early American Literature (1620–1820)
In the first half of the 17th century the New World found two groups of people
colonizing. The first group, the Puritans, had left England after years of exile due to
their lack of faith in the Church of England. With the reading and understanding of the
Bible almost completely laid in the hands of the preacher, the congregation was forced
to believe all the words that the preacher said. This all came to an end with John
Calvin.
His ideas were that God likes certain people better than others and those "chosen"
ones would get more land and more money. This idea took off with the Puritans as they
seeked religious freedom, a chance to start new churches...show more content...
All education was basedon religion and through that there was no questioning of God.
Along with this, their faith was based of that of the super natural world. They could
not see God, but saw him through thingslike a prosperous harvest or a winter blizzard,
both of these in reaction to actions taken by the Puritans.

With this lack of deductive reasoning the Puritans would find themselves thinking
about things done wrong if there was a life threatening winter blizzard or reflect the
things that were done right in the event of a bountiful harvest. In my eyes the Putians
were did not just leave England in search of religious freedom, they were casually asked
to leave the country and were used to colonize land that England was interested in.
Much like religious cults of today, they were against major religious beliefs of the
church and looked upon as radicals in their beliefs. "Then, coming out, beheld a
space the flame consume my dwelling place. And when I could no longer look, I blest His
name that gave and took." A quote of this nature in modern day society would be
followed by the thought of radical nature in the person saying it. Things may have
changed as far as social acceptance goes, but I see the Puritans as outcasts of the
society in England.
The other group of

Literary Characteristics Of American Literature
What qualifies an author's written work as American Literature? Throughout the American Literature class, this past semester, I have learned that in
order to classify a book as American Literature there are more requirements necessary than the book simply being written in America. According to the
article "What Defines American Literature?" by Maddi Burns, "American Literature, as a whole, depicts the diverse and revolutionary forthcoming of a
nation to what it is today". After reading numerous books that are classified as American Literature, I have come to the realization that American
Literature does indeed encompass key events, important viewpoints, and writing styles that helped to shape America into what we know it to be today;
however, American Literature means so much more. American Literature is the essentially the essence of America. It is evident through many written
works, that American Literature captures the characteristics of America and the nature of the American people, through written work that contains
important events, definitive opinions, as well as distinctive forms of writing, all of which, helped to shape America into the nation it is today.
Throughout the history of the United States, achievements as well as sufferings have been documented in American Literature. Important events that
pertain to such accomplishments, obstacles, and discoveries are a key part of American Literature because it is the actions of the American people that
make up

The American Literary Canon Analysis
In the late sixteenth century, a religious reform arose among the church of England. The puritanism reform brought foundation to the religious,
intellectual, and social structure in New England. Puritanism closely relates to the Amish which is a christian church that connects to the protestant
reformation also in the sixteenth century Europe. The puritanism and Amish both are hundreds of years old as is the American Literary Canon. This
canon consists of american literature from different authors at different times. The Judgement by Beverly Lewis should be a part of the literary canon
because it opens deeper perceptions about the lives of the Amish women. It also provides insight for readers to the complex struggles Amish women
faced with religion, society, culture and the self.
Amish and Puritan cultures both are tested by experiences that cause them to rely on God's judgement. The Amish community are based on God. The
families within the community have strict rules that which they must abide by. Hen's experience brings her closer to God than she was before. She
states to her father '"And sometimes the prayers we pray help change us most of all"'(Lewis 264). Hen's experience with her husband shows the
struggle she had with her religion. In resemblance, the Puritan book of Mary Rowlandson shows her journey and all of the challenges...show more
content...
Through Hen's journey She is challenged with thinking of her young daughter as well as herself. Hen struggles as she says '"I can't blame him – Mattie
Sue's his daughter, too" (Lewis 18). Hen is not a selfish person but she does want the best for Mattie. She also has to think about what is best for her
and her marriage. Hen and Rowlandson both struggle with the challenge of self. Rowlandson also has a child along with her through her experience.
She thinks nothing of herself but of the child. "I sat much alone with a poor wounded child in my lap" (Rowlandson

Colonial American Literature
When a teacher asks a student to think about the Colonial Period, most students think of PIlgrims coming to America on the Mayflower. In reality, the
Mayflower is really only a small piece of the puzzle. The colonial time period starts in 1492 and goes through 1763. In the two hundred and
seventy–one years, Europeans came to America, Native Americans began to focus on the fur trade, and by the end of the time period the "population
of the thirteen colonies was over two million people." (Colonial Time Period NP) All of those events helped shape the American Literature that is still
read in High Schools to this day. American Literature from the colonial period was influenced by many historical events. It shares common
characteristics and its...show more content...
For example, the interaction with "David Cusick, from the Oneida Reservation in Madison County, New York, provides the "Iroquois Creation Story,"
(Snyder, Nancy NP). Historical events played an important part in early American Literature. There are many similar characteristics in the novels that
were written in the Colonization period. One common characteristic that can be found in many novels during this time is the narrative focus. Most
narratives tell a first–hand story of an event or a trip the author has experienced. Example of literary works in this genre include memoirs, journals,
letters, and biographies. Another common characteristic is the topic of religion. Writings about religion were very prominent in Puritan writings. Since
book publication was expensive, religious writings and most often the bible was the most common literature for a household to own. Puritan writers
had a very strong influence on colonial society. Religion was not a topic only for the Puritans as seen by the writings of non–puritan authors.
Non–Puritan writers used religion "to help show the religious tension between the colonial settlers and Native Americans." (Knight, Vanessa NP) A
characteristic that was common in early Native American literature was the topic of "changing the political and social status of their people." (Early
Native American Literature NP) Literature that was written in the colonial period has

The History of American Literature
The history of American Literature starts well before this land was even called America. It has been a great evolution to come from tribal symbols
and drawings to today's Stephen King and Danielle Steele. Literature has gone through many phases and was impacted by great events and ideas in
American history. The earliest form of literature in what would one day be known as America were far from what modern day people would consider
"Literature". The Natives who inhabited this land first had unwritten ways of passing on experiences, beliefs, and stories. Natives relied heavily on the
verbal telling of these stories to younger generations. The same stories, fables, or belief structures were told repeatedly, each time identical to the last,
...show more content...
Mather's rewarding career included writings on science and medicine as well as theology and history. His Sentiments on the Small Pox Inoculated
(1721) was instrumental in introducing the smallpox vaccine to New England. A new genre for American writers, the travel narrative, would become
especially influential late in the 1700s. Travel narratives include Travels Through the Interior Parts of North America (1778) by Jonathan Carver and
Travels Through North and South Carolina, Georgia, East and West Florida, the Cherokee Country, etc (1791) by William Bartram . Travel stories
often blended observations on nature and landscape with tales of personal courage and achievement. The first American newspaper, the Boston
News–Letter, was founded in 1704, and joined by the Boston Gazette in 1719. At a time when newspaper journalism was concerned primarily with
reporting political events, the New–England Courant, started by James Franklin in 1721, became the first newspaper to include literary entertainment.
Franklin's younger brother Benjamin Franklin published humorous social commentary in the Courant under the pen name of Silence Dogwood .
Magazines also appeared for the first time in the colonies during the mid–1700s. Before 1800 magazines were concerned primarily with measuring
America's developing culture against the British model. During the 1700s Boston and Philadelphia became centers of publishing in addition to being
political and commercial centers.

Themes in Early American Literature Essays
Themes of Early American Literature
Early American literature does a tremendous job of revealing the exact conditions and challenges that were faced by the explorers and later by the
colonists of the New World. From early shipwrecks to the later years of small colonies barely surviving through dreadful winters, the literary works of
the time period focus on some very recognizable themes. The theme of any given work – being simply the unifying subject or idea – is a very
important element of any piece of writing. As one reviews some of this early literature, it becomes obvious that several themes appear repeatedly, and
it is these subjects that were clearly very common among people from all over the New World. While a number of themes...show more content...
The explorer narratives, however, were not the only ones which described a dark and forbidding quality of the New World. The colonists at
Jamestown and all along the eastern coast suffered through harsh winters with minimal supplies, causing many deaths and making life in the New
World extremely challenging. For example, in William Bradford's Of Plymouth Plantation he remarks that 50 of the 102 Pilgrims who landed at
Plymouth had died within the first year (Perkins and Perkins 50). The reasons for the high number of deaths in the colonies vary, but disease and
harsh winters certainly claimed their share. In addition, the colonies struggled to establish crops and solid dwellings for months or years after they
first landed, and supply ships proved to be unreliable at best. John Smith of the Jamestown Colony is responsible for writing The General History of
Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles in which he depicted the grievous condition of the colonists only days after the ships departed and left
them to the mercy of the land (Reuben 6). He wrote, "Being thus left to our fortunes, it fortuned that within ten days scarce ten amongst us could either
go, or well stand, such extreme weakness and sickness oppressed us." (Perkins and Perkins 36). In the same piece of literature, Smith also noted
another very ominous threat to the well–being of the

Early American Literature Essay
As the new world struggled to gain impendence from its mother country, Britain, native authors also try to develop their own style of writings. It
quickly became evident that the search for a native literature became a national obsession. Then with the triumph of American independence, many at
the time saw this as a divine sign that America and her people were destined for greatness. Greatness came with a strong nation and thousands of poems
and stories that still shape our nation. The recent revolution greatly expressed the heart of the American people. However, it would take another fifty
years of development throughout American before it produced the first great generation of American writers such as, Washington Irving, Ralph
...show
more content...
As America continued to grow and developed so did its writers. A major changed came with writers such asRalph Waldo Emersonand Henry David
Thoreau. Emerson was an American philosopher, poet and the leader of the Transcendentalist movement. This movement started as a protest against
the current state of the society and culture; and was based on a fundamental belief in the unity of the world and God. "Emerson declared literary
independence in the United States and urged Americans to create a writing style all their own and free from Europe" (Ralph). This type of
methodology is easily portrayed in his two stories, The American Scholar, and Self Reliance. Thoreau was a nonconformist and attempted to live his
life at all times according to his rigorous principles, which became the subject of many of his writings. In "Walden", Thoreau not only tests the theories
of Transcendentalism, he re–enacts the collective American experience of the 19th century, living on the frontier. The overall story of "Walden" is in
fact a view on Thoreau's radical and controversial perspective of society. Many of Thoreau's repeated, irrelevant details can be traced to his description
of what is wrong with the American society. He believed that the society is extremely overwhelmed with material things and they often seem to think
that is what matters

The Importance Of American Literature
The term literature can be defined as creative and artistic writings that can be found in books, poetry, novels, and other works that contain value and
recognition. English colonists and voyagers are the key foundation of American writing in the colonial period. For example, voyagers such as Captain
John Smith would keep a journal to record daily events of his surroundings and discoveries. Also, literature became a second scripture to the colonist to
form a layout to direct them to become an ideal model of themselves. American writing bloomed during this period and allowed writers to reveal their
perspective of religion, national destiny, and other concerns.
Puritan writers such as Roger Williams, Thomas Hooker, Anne Bradstreet, Edward Johnson, Edward Taylor, and Michael Wigglesworth are highly
significant. Puritans were neglected for their religion in New England that caused their diaspora to the New World. "The first work published in the
Puritan colonies was the Bay Psalm Book (1640) (The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. "American Literature" Pg. 1)." Many Puritan poetry is written to
promote the services of God. Famous poetry within the Puritan colonies include Day of Doom, Magnalia Christi Americana, and The Tenth Muse
Lately Sprung Up in America.
"The approach of the American Revolution and the achievement of the actual independence of the United States was a time of intellectual activity as
well as social and economic change. (The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.

Social Issues In American Literature
American Literature from its beginnings is shaped by a demand towards reforming society by bringing awareness towards towards social issues and a
need to question societal norms.American literature from its beginnings has focused around establishing the American identity , and has also served as
a means to address social issues that have plagues American society. The three authors that are representative of these ideals are the following; Hector
De St John Crevecoeur Benjamin Franklin, and Hannah Foster. These authors represent different perspectives on American issues, ranging from
revolutionary era america, women's rights, and also establishing a set of values that represent the American Identity. At a time where the new world
...show more content...
The position that Crevoucuer demonstrates towards the social order in America is that it is corrupt, and that the idea of revolution has turned quickly
into disorder throughout the colonies. Although Letters does provide praise towards the New world, it also demonstrated the issues associated with
forming a new world. These issues are that of the vast disparities of wealth, institution of slavery, and that the New World consists of colonies that are
made up of contradictions. Ultimately, Letters provides a pessimistis forecast for Ameria's future and puts into question the nature of humanity in the
forming of America. A work of literature that contrasts the ideas stated in Letters is Benjamin Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanack. One of the main
purposes of this almanac was to actually help the average citizen in achieving prosperity. Franklin like Crevecouer, uses a persona in his writings. The
persona that is used by Franklin is that of a poor farmer (Poor Richard), which helped to connect with Franklin's target audience, which was the common
American citizen. This style of writing contrasts with Crevocuer because instead of making observations about the corruption of America, Poor
Richards Almanac tries to help Americans out by using rational logic towards the problems of taxation, accumulating debt, and promoting the concept
of sociability. This almanac largely consisted of maxims of these ideals. An example of

Common Themes in American Literature Essays
Common Themes in American Literature Common Themes throughout American Literature
Many authors contributed to American literature between 1865 and 1914. Although these authors came from all over the country and lived different
life styles, they still managed to include similar themes in their works. A theme is considered to be the main idea of the work, or a meaning behind the
story. Within this period of American literature, three themes continued to emerge: the concept of true beauty, protection of nature, and perception
versus reality.
The first theme, the concept of true beauty is evident in "The White Heron" and "The Real Thing". "The White Heron" presents a little girl torn between
material items (money) or saving a...show more content...
While the couple can only allow themselves to stand and look "pretty". Each of the characters eventually comes to terms with the true meaning of
beauty and it changes them both. "The White Heron" also advocates the second theme, protection of nature. The little girl becomes aware of the heron's
view and she is protecting nature by deciding to give in to the hunter and turn the bird in. Cochise writes in "I am alone" about the Spanish arriving and
pushing them off their land. Although the Mimbreno Apache did not do anything themselves to destroy their land, the Spanish did reek havoc on it.
Protection of nature is still a theme that is ever present in today's society and well as during the Reconstruction period. The final theme, perception
versus reality is presented through "The Yellow Wall
–paper" and "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge". The woman in "The Yellow Wall
–paper" is
placed inside a room by her husband in order for her to get over her illness. While in the room she notices the wallpaper is tearing at the bottom and
there seems to be a woman stuck behind it, so she begins to peel away at the paper. The woman's perception and reality are confused, the woman
behind the paper and the woman peeling eventually become one in the woman's mind, but the woman peeling never realizes that she was the woman
stuck behind the paper the whole time. In "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" a man, Peyton Farquahar, is set to be hung.

Reflection In American Literature

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