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American Literature

By Jamie9
  • Jan 1, 1500

    Native American

    The first form of literature was originally made up of oral tactics and revelations of nature. This included pictographic drawings or ancient hieroglyphics that produced a story or myth, (Gunther, Erna). The Native Americans believed that every aspect of life had a story to tell- whether it was a human, an animal, a substance of plant, or even a non-biological material of water or sand, (Native American Spirituality).
  • Period: Jan 1, 1500 to

    Native American

    The first form of literature was originally made up of oral tactics and revelations of nature. This included pictographic drawings or ancient hieroglyphics that produced a story or myth, (Gunther, Erna). The Native Americans believed that every aspect of life had a story to tell- whether it was a human, an animal, a substance of plant, or even a non-biological material of water or sand, (Native American Spirituality).
  • Jan 1, 1505

    "The Sky Tree" retold by Joseph Bruchac

    "The Sky Tree," retold by Joseph Bruchac demonstrates how life works and how things came to be. It describes the land that exsists in the sky. It gives its reader a chance to think about concepts like how a turtle got its shell or why a tree provides life, etc.
  • Jan 1, 1515

    “Coyote Finishes His Work” retold by Barry Lopez

    This Native American story was about a coyote that was sent to earth from the "Old Man Above". The coyote carried the responsibility to create the world we know today. This tale demonstates the beginning of Indians and Native Americans in a very unique and creative way.

  • Puritan

    Puritan literature was a form that dealt with mostly religion and the depravity of mankind, (Puritanism in American Literature). Most of these writings were very personal and practical. They represented the examination of acts of either good or evil in the form of creative writing and expression. Diaries, journals, histories, sermons, and poems were different types of puritan form.
  • Period: to

    Puritan

    Puritan literature was a form that dealt with mostly religion and the depravity of mankind, (Puritanism in American Literature). Most of these writings were very personal and practical. They represented the examination of acts of either good or evil in the form of creative writing and expression. Diaries, journals, histories, sermons, and poems were different types of puritan form.

  • The Enlightenment

    The Enlightenment was an era dedicated to the influence of logic and science. It’s a type of literature marked with American and/or England political writings, documents, letters, and speeches, (The Enlightenment-Literature Periods & Movements). This type of literature includes intellectual topics within poetry, novels, short fiction, and drama also.
  • Period: to

    Enlightenment

    The Enlightenment was an era dedicated to the influence of logic and science. It’s a type of literature marked with American and/or England political writings, documents, letters, and speeches, (The Enlightenment-Literature Periods & Movements). This type of literature includes intellectual topics within poetry, novels, short fiction, and drama also.

  • “Of Plymouth Plantation” by William Bradford

    This story was published during the Enlightenment era. It demonstrates the ideas and beliefs of the New England pilgram-like people that moved into the "New World" in the Columbian Exchange Era. It introduces how Thanksgiving became known to society.

  • “Here Follow Some Verses upon the Burning of Our House” by Anne Bradstreet

    This story of the Puritan era demonstrates what frequently happened to many puritans. The narrator’s house has been set on fire and all that she could think of was her possessions that burnt along with it. She describes how she is feeling as she watches her house burn down to ashes. This story has a lot of feeling and sympathy towards the narrator.

  • “The Sovereignty and Goodness of God” by Mary Rowlandson

    “The Sovereignty and Goodness of God,” describes how the narrator found God and accepted him into her life. The narrator was separated from her family when Indians captured her. God helps her get back to her family and she is reunited with them. Soon after, they move to Boston and start fresh.

  • “Huswifery” by Edward Taylor

    “Huswifey,” by Edward Taylor, is a piece of puritan literature that provides an idea of how God works. The narrator takes a piece of cloth and applies it to God. He wants to persuade other characters and his reader that the way God works is very complex. He uses the whole concept of creating a cloth to the creations of God.

  • "Two Treatises of Government" by John Locke

    “Two Treaties of Government,” written by John Locke, is an Enlightenment document with the concept of political philosophy. It was split into two treaties. The first treaty was criticism of Robert Filmer’s “Patriarcha,” which argues in support of divine right of kings. The second treaty included a short preface and nineteen chapters about political power.

  • “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” by Jonathan Edwards

    This puritan story demonstrates the consequences that one will face if they sin. It is informing the reader about the pathway to “hell” and that the only thing that would hold them from going to hell would be the hand of God.

  • "On Crimes and Punishments" by Cesare Beccaria

    “On Crimes and Punishment,” written by Cesare Beccaria was published during the Enlightenment era. It talked about torture to criminals and the death penalty. Beccaria describes modern arguments against the death penalty and clears the air with accurate information using rhetoric and the balance between different topics and arguments.

  • "Common Sense" by Thomas Paine

    “Common Sense,” written by Thomas Paine was a very popular piece of writing that went around during the Enlightenment period. This pamphlet described the independence gained in America. He talks about treatment and the differences between being treated right and wrong. He is convincing the people that it is time to break free from the Britain rule.

  • "The Declaration of Independence" by Thomas Jefferson

    “The Declaration of Independence,” of the Enlightenment period, is a declaration against the British rule. It talks about freedom and what the American people have to do to gain independence. It also lists a number of things that the king has done to make things unfair for the people of America. It’s going against the king.

  • "The Declaration of the Rights of Women" by Olympe de Gouges

    This document is very similar to “The Declaration of Independence.” They were both written in the Enlightenment period and they also declared for equality. However, this document is special because it is declaring the freedom and rights for women.

  • Gothic Fiction

    Supernatural elements were introduced in the art of Gothic Fiction. This type of literature undergone great changes in writing. Intense psychological structures was main idea of Gothic Fiction, giving its audience a thrill and insight of a dark tone, (The Gothic Experience). This differed type of literature also demonstrates the expression of American women authors. Some authors include: Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, Mary Shelley, and much more.

  • Transcendentalism

    Transcendentalism was an American philosophical and literary movement in the 19th century. After receiving independence from England, Americans believed it was time for their literary freedom. They went on creating essays, novels, poetry, philosophy, and other writing that were different from any other nation’s works, (Lewis, Jone J.). Some themes of transcendentalism include self-wisdom, social reform, and nature.

  • Romanticism

    Romanticism was an era of emotion and imagination. This was the time when personal and more political writings transformed into more entertaining ones. Romantic, exotic, and emotion-filled elements were published by American writers in hope to get a theme and style across their audience, (Romanticism- Literature Periods & Movements). Romanticism basically organized an artistic feeling towards creative writings among 18th century authors.
  • Period: to

    Transcendentalism

    Transcendentalism was an American philosophical and literary movement in the 19th century. After receiving independence from England, Americans believed it was time for their literary freedom. They went on creating essays, novels, poetry, philosophy, and other writing that were different from any other nation’s works, (Lewis, Jone J.). Some themes of transcendentalism include self-wisdom, social reform, and nature.
  • Period: to

    Romanticism

    Romanticism was an era of emotion and imagination. This was the time when personal and more political writings transformed into more entertaining ones. Romantic, exotic, and emotion-filled elements were published by American writers in hope to get a theme and style across to their audience, (Romanticism- Literature Periods & Movements). Romanticism basically organized an artistic feeling towards creative writings among 18th century authors.
  • Period: to

    Gothic Fiction

    Supernatural elements were introduced in the art of Gothic Fiction. This type of literature undergone great changes in writing. Intense psychological structures was main idea of Gothic Fiction, giving its audience a thrill and insight of a dark tone, (The Gothic Experience). This differed type of literature also demonstrates the expression of American women authors. Some authors include: Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, Mary Shelley, and much more.

  • “The Excursion” by William Wordsworth

    “The Excursion,” written by William Wordsworth in the Romanticism era, is a long, dramatic poem with a hint of feeling, instinct, and pleasure above formality and mannerism. The poem has an emphasized feel to it.

  • “Kubla Khan” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

    “Kubla Khan,” is a poem that was written in the Romanticism era by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. This poem describes the setting of the Emperor’s palace of Kubla Khan. It’s very scenic and beautiful- described with hints of imagery. There are personal and mysterious inferences along the way of Kubla Khan. There’s parts where it’s dark and spooky- especially when they introduce the woman that is “wailing for her demon lover.”

  • “The Legend of Sleepy Hallow” by Washington Irving

    “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” is a piece of gothic fiction written by Washington Irving. It tells the story of the headless horsemen, who “rides forth to the scene of battle in nightly quest of his head”. The setting also gives an insight of spookiness and ghostly terror.

  • “The Last of the Mohicans” by James Fenimore Cooper

    “The Last of the Mohicans,” by James Fenimore Cooper, demonstrates romanticism. Romantic aspects within the story include the value of feelings over reasons, the placement of faith within imagination, and the shunning over civilization and discovery of nature. This story also includes the fight for freedom and worthiness.

  • “Old Ironsides” by Oliver Wendell Holmes

    “Old Ironsides,” was a poem written by Oliver Wendell Holmes that demonstrated the fight to save the battleship of the U.S. Constitution. It talks about the ship and how its life came to an end, rather than being put aside to retired. The author, Holmes, talks about the ship and the glorious days that involved it. He is trying to show people that this ship was significant to the United States. It fit within the Romanticism era.

  • “Nature” by Ralph Waldo Emerson

    “Nature,” written by Ralph Waldo Emerson is an essay of the transcendentalism movement. In the essay, Emerson talks about nature and implies that he wants his readers to look at their environments more closely. He wants people to take a look at all the beauty that surrounds them. He implies that nature helps people see and realize many things that they once never thought of. He classifies nature as “she” as if it was just like all of us.

  • “The Oversoul” by Ralph Waldo Emerson

    “The Over-Soul,” written by Ralph Waldo Emerson, provides an outline of his belief in God. He also implies that God resides in each and everyone of us and we can also choose to communicate with him. He also implies that people without membership in a church can also communicate and take action with God. This is a piece of literature of the transcendentalism time period.

  • “Self-Reliance” by Ralph Waldo Emerson

    In “Self-Reliance,” written by Ralph Waldo Emerson, concepts of letting go are demonstrated throughout the whole entire essay. It is basically saying to let go and do things on your own. It shows independence. Emerson wants to ensure people that doing stuff on you own isn’t bad and they should be able to trust themselves with this.

  • "The Masque of the Red Death" by Edgar Allan Poe

    “The Masque of the Red Death,” written by Edgar Allan Poe is a piece of gothic fiction with a hint of reality that clouds over it. This story is referring to a deadly disease that’s been spreading. Victims are beginning to die quicker and quicker each day. People around the village have no clue what is going on. Soon there is a party that takes place and the “red death” shows up uninvited and kills the majority.

  • “Women in the Nineteenth Century” by Margaret Fuller

    “Woman in the Nineteenth Century,” written by Margaret Fuller is a piece of literature of the transcendentalism period. In this essay, Fuller’s ideas are unleashed and shared with her audience. She shares the idea that man will rightfully inherit the earth when he becomes an elevated being, understanding of divine love. She also shares the idea that women are necessary to make that happen, and should be given equal rights.

  • "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe

    “The Raven,” written by Edgar Allan Poe, is a piece of gothic literature that explains that story of a man that talks about his encounters with death and how he remembers the night of his wife died. There was once a tapping sound on the door and he eventually hears a slight whisper in the distance. It was his wife’s name. He opens the door and a raven flies in, telling him everything.

  • “Moby Dick” by Herman Melville

    “Moby Dick,” written by Herman Melville presents a hint of romanticism within the story. It tells the adventures of a wandering sailor and describes his voyage with the captain of the ship they are sailing on. The sailor, Ishmael, soon learns that his captain’s purpose to seek out a ferocious sperm whale that goes by the name Moby Dick. This story uses a stylized language with aspects such as symbolism, metaphors, and a whole variety of literary devices to seek out the romanticism within.

  • “The House of the Seven Gables” by Nathaniel Hawthorne

    "The House of the Seven Gables," written by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a gothic novel about a gloomy New England mansion. It's haunted from fraudulent dealings, accusations or witchcraft, and sudden death. It has a variety of dark themes such as guilt, atonement, retribution, etc.

  • “Walden” or “Life in the Woods” by Henry David Thoreau

    “Walden,” or “Life in the Woods,” written by Henry David Thoreau is a piece of transcendentalism literature. This book shows a part of personal declaration of independence and a voyage of spiritual discoveries. He uses description of nature and relation to his efforts to events in the story. Allusions, hyperboles, personification, irony, and a whole variety of literary devices are demonstrated throughout the book.

  • Realism

    In this movement, realists would write truthfully about ordinary characters in ordinary situations. It differed from Romanticism, rejecting the idea of heroic-like characters and unusual fantasy-like themes. Realistic works tend to avoid dramatic, sensational, and romantic elements. This type of literature focuses closely on reality and puts emphasis on the character rather than plot or action. Some famous realism writers include Mark Twain and Henry James
  • Period: to

    Realism

    In this movement, realists would write truthfully about ordinary characters in ordinary situations. It differed from Romanticism, rejecting the idea of heroic-like characters and unusual fantasy-like themes. Realistic works tend to avoid dramatic, sensational, and romantic elements. This type of literature focuses closely on reality and puts emphasis on the character rather than plot or action, (Realism In American Literature). Some famous realism writers include Mark Twain and Henry James.

  • “Middlemarch” by George Eliot

    “Middlemarch,” by George Eliot was published during the realism movement. It’s a novel that has multiple plots and a huge cast of characters. It also portrays an enormous amount of themes. Some themes include the status of women, the nature of marriage, idealism, self-interest, and religion.

  • “The Grandissimes: A Story of Creole Life” by George Washington Cable

    “The Grandissimes: A Story of Creole Life,” by George Washington Cable is a piece of regionalism literature that portrays a certain type of culture. This book examines the lifestyle of the Grandissime family, which includes members from different types of races. They also have different social statuses. This story demonstrates their lives, relations, and loves. It shows the life of Creole, one that is part of a mixed culture and origin.

  • Regionalism

    Regionalism was introduced as another form of Realism. In literature, regionalism included writings with specific geographical areas. In these types of pieces the culture, history, customs, and beliefs of a certain area are informed. It also gives insight of different writing styles among the world- north, east, south, and west. It gives a more realistic feel among stories- giving characters accents or a certain clothing style due to their region, (Regionalism and Local Color Fiction).

  • Naturalism

    Naturalism introduced the concept of documentary-like writing. It allows authors to go in depth within the study of human beings and other scientific aspects, (Naturalism in American Literature). Naturalists study laws and base their writings on the scientific methods and governs. Facts are studied before novels are written in the world of naturalism. Early writers of naturalism included Stephen Crane, Jack London, and Theodore Dreiser.
  • Period: to

    Naturalism

    Naturalism introduced the concept of documentary-like writing. It allows authors to go in depth within the study of human beings and other scientific aspects, (Naturalism in American Literature). Naturalists study laws and base their writings on the scientific methods and governs. Facts are studied before novels are written in the world of naturalism. Early writers of naturalism included Stephen Crane, Jack London, and Theodore Dreiser.
  • Period: to

    Regionalism

    Regionalism was introduced as another form of Realism. In literature, regionalism included writings with specific geographical areas. In these types of pieces the culture, history, customs, and beliefs of a certain area are informed. It also gives insight of different writing styles among the world- north, east, south, and west. It gives a more realistic feel among stories- giving characters accents or a certain clothing style due to their region, (Regionalism and Local Color Fiction).

  • “The Portrait of a Lady” by Henry James

    “A Portrait of a Lady,” written by Henry James, is a novel that was published in the realism time period. It tells the story of young, spirited American woman named Isabel Archer. She wants to “affront her destiny,” but she finds it very overwhelming. It is a book set in Europe, the usual place where Henry James uses in all of his novels. The novel reflects upon the new and old world. It compares and contrasts both.

  • “A Modern Instance” by William Dean Howells

    “A Modern Instance,” by William Dean Howells is a realistic novel published in 1882. The novel’s meaning is to explain the deterioration of a once loving marriage under the influence of capitalistic greed. A love among two characters is broken by several troubles that arise within the story. In the beginning, it is shown that their love is unbreakable. However, it eventually broke and collapsed. This is realistic because stuff like this happens all the time in society.

  • “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain

    “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” by Mark Twain is a realistic novel set in the southern region of the United States. This book is narrated by the friend of Tom Sawyer, the protagonist of two other Twain novels. The main character of this novel has a hard time fitting into society. He goes on an adventure after finding some gold with his friends. This story is demonstrating the hardships and events that took place during the adventure.

  • “A Kentucky Cardinal” by James Lane Allen

    “A Kentucky Cardinal,” by James Lane Allen was published in the regionalism era in 1894. It is a regionalism novel because of the southern characteristics displayed throughout the story. Culture, beliefs, ideas- they all fit into the Kentucky lifestyle.

  • “McTeague” by Frank Norris

    “McTeague,” written and published by Frank Norris during the naturalism era in 1899, demonstrates a couple’s courtship and marriage. They eventually end up descending into poverty, jealousy, and finally murder as the result of jealousy. This story shows aspects of insecurity and untrustworthiness.

  • “The Monster” by Stephen Crane

    “The Monster,” written by Stephen Crane, is a natural novel that was published in 1899. A character named, Dr. Trescott, becomes horribly burnt and disfigured after an accident happens. His son, Henry, has the nickname “monster,” because of what happened. Henry is also a disfigured individual due to the fire that he fell in.

  • “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin

    “The Awakening,” by Kate Chopin, was published in the regionalism era in 1899. This story demonstrates the aspect of a women in the 18th century. Edna Pontellier, a woman that feels trapped within society, has a great awakening. She wants to escape society and live freely. She wants to get away from everything that holds her back such as her husband and her kids. There is a hint of French culture. She is a Creole, therefore she is mixed in between a whole variety of cultures and origins.

  • Harlem Renaissance

    The Harlem Renaissance was a movement that involved African American writers, artists, musicians, etc. Poems, novels, and songs were all written in this time period and they all had to do with the extremely hard lifestyle of an African American, (Harlem Renaissance-Literature). Some famous Harlem Renaissance writers include Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Claude McKay, and many more

  • Imagism

    The Imagism movement was where poetry got its staring role. Emotional, soft-edged poems were being published in both New England and the United States of America, (Jones, Peter). These pieces of writing consisted of a few detailed lines in which told a story far more than a novel did. Several themes were demonstrated throughout these poems of this movement. The Imagism movement was what introduced the exactness of detail with metaphors, smiles, and a whole new variety of writing style.
  • Period: to

    Imagism

    The Imagism movement was where poetry got its staring role. Emotional, soft-edged poems were being published in both New England and the United States of America, (Jones, Peter). These pieces of writing consisted of a few detailed lines in which told a story far more than a novel did. Several themes were demonstrated throughout these poems of this movement. The Imagism movement was what introduced the exactness of detail with metaphors, smiles, and a whole new variety of writing style.
  • Period: to

    Harlem Renaissance

    The Harlem Renaissance was a movement that involved African American writers, artists, musicians, etc. Poems, novels, and songs were all written in this time period and they all had to do with the extremely hard lifestyle of an African American, (Harlem Renaissance-Literature). Some famous Harlem Renaissance writers include Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Claude McKay, and many more.

  • “The Octopus: A Story of California” by Frank Norris

    “The Octopus: A Story of California,” written by Frank Norris is a natural novel that demonstrates the conflicts between wheat growers and a railroad company. It displays tension between the railroad and the ranchers. The book emphasizes that control of “forces,” such as wheat and railroads over individuals.

  • "Indian Boyhood" by Charles A. Eastman

    “Indian Boyhood,” written by Charles A. Eastman is a Native American piece of literature that was published in 1902. This book is about a full-blooded Sioux Indian that explains his childhood and all of the experiences he went through as a child. It tells a story about his training as a warrior and how he was taken to live in the white man’s world at the age of 15 years old.

  • “The Call of the Wild” by Jack London

    “The Call of the Wild,” written by Jack London in the Naturalism era, demonstrates the adventures of a St. Bernard and Scotch shepherd dog. The dog, named Buck, gets abducted from his home and thrown out into the life of labor. He is transferred to the life of a snow dog, in the home of the frozen land.

  • “The Sea-Wolf” by Jack London

    “The Sea-Wolf,” by Jack London is an adventure novel that was published and written in the naturalism time period. It is about a literary critic that survived an ocean collision. He falls under the dominance of a powerful sea captain who rescued him during the collision. It relates to the title because the sea captain’s name is Wolf Larsen.

  • “The House of Mirth” by Edith Wharton

    “The House of Mirth,” written by Edith Wharton in 1905, is a realist novel. It was set during the 1890s New York aristocracy and is also considered to be a natural piece of work. It tells the story about a woman who is torn between her desire for luxurious living and a relationship based on mutual love and respect.

  • “The Garden” by Ezra Pound

    “The Garden,” written by Ezra Pound demonstrates imagism and flow. This poem is about a women who was walking through the park. Pound uses imagery to create an image for the reader as they read the poem. Every detail and spectacle within the park is mention in some kind of poetic form.

  • Modern Age

    Modern Age literature was the era of change and break of traditional styles of writing. This movement occurred during the post-World War 1 period. There were more aspects of irony and tone in these novels, in order to throw off the idea of realism. Writers of the Modern Age movement used a variety of different literary devices and tactics. This movement also implies the abandonment of the social world, (Modernism and the Modern Novel).
  • Period: to

    Modern Age

    Modern Age literature was the era of change and break of traditional styles of writing. This movement occurred during the post-World War 1 period. There were more aspects of irony and tone in these novels, in order to throw off the idea of realism. Writers of the Modern Age movement used a variety of different literary devices and tactics. This movement also implies the abandonment of the social world, (Modernism and the Modern Novel).

  • “Hugh Selwyn Mauberley” by Ezra Pound

    “Hugh Selwyn Mauberley,” written by Ezra Pound, is a long poem that was published during the Imagism movement. It implies the career of a great American poet. Pound uses alter egos to discuss the first twelve years of his career. It describes the hardships of the twentieth century and World War 1 also.

  • “The Hollow Men” by T.S Eliot

    “The Hollow Men,” written by T.S Eliot, is an overlapping and fragmentary poem. This modern age poem is divided into five parts. It portrays ideas about hope and religious conversion.

  • “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald

    “The Great Gatsby,” written by the American author F. Scott Fitzgerald, is a modern age novel. This story takes place in 1922, during the time of prosperity in the United States after World War 1. Some themes in the story include the hollowness of the upper class and the decline of the American Dream in the 1920s.

  • “The Weary Blues” by Langston Hughes

    “The Weary Blues,” by Langston Hughes, was written and published during the Harlem Renaissance.
    It’s a poem demonstrates the importance of music and how it effects the everyday life. Music can be used to guide mix emotions of joy or sadness. It is also used to describe personal issues also. Imagery is significant to the poem because it suggests the feelings of melancholy and the depressing mood of the poem.

  • “Home to Harlem” by Claude McKay

    “Home To Harlem,” by Claude McKay, was written and published during the Harlem Renaissance. This novel demonstrates the voice of alienation and frustration of urban blacks during the era of poverty in Harlem.

  • “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston

    “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” by Zora Neale Hurston, was written and published during the Harlem Renaissance. This novel is about an African American woman who tells the story of her life to her best friend. Her story that she has to share is a journey of the life she lived.

  • Contemporary

    Contemporary literature is the movement of new or “fashionable” literary styles and techniques. Another form of contemporary literature includes writings with references to modern issues, events, or people, (What Is Contemporary Literature?) This type of literature contains harsher realities and well-defined characters that play a huge role in the story. One main characteristic of contemporary literature is the reality-based aspect of believable plots and strong characters.
  • Period: to

    Contemporary

    Contemporary literature is the movement of new or “fashionable” literary styles and techniques. Another form of contemporary literature includes writings with references to modern issues, events, or people, (What Is Contemporary Literature?) This type of literature contains harsher realities and well-defined characters that play a huge role in the story. One main characteristic of contemporary literature is the reality-based aspect of believable plots and strong characters.

  • “The Way to Rainy Mountain” by N. Scott Momaday

    “The Way to Rainy Mountain,” by N. Scott Momaday, is a Native American piece of literature that was published in 1967. This story talks about the journey that a young man overcomes. It demonstrates the type of encounters he comes across as he travels. He is trying to get to his grandmother’s grave. The most important aspect of this story is the weather. The climate is very harsh, and the narrator explains it and that it reminds him of his tribe he was in, the Kiowas.

  • “House Made of Dawn” by N. Scott Momaday

    “House Made of Dawn,” by N. Scott Momaday, is a Native American piece of literature that was published in 1968. This story is about a man named Abel, who is returning to New Mexico after fighting in World War II. He returns to his grandfather, Francisco, who raised him and taught him about native traditions and values. However, Abel’s involvement in the war ended the connections he once had with the native world of spiritual and physical wholeness. He is emotionally devistated from the war.

  • “House of Spirits” by Isabel Allende

    “House of Spirits,” by Isabel Allende is a piece of contemporary literature that was published in 1982. It is a story about the del Valle family, who focuses the most upon the younger and oldest daughters of the family. Rosa, the oldest daughter, is accidentally killed by poison that was originally intended for her father who is running for the Senate. Clara stumbles upon the autopsy and realizes that her own paranormal powers was the reason for her sister’s death.

  • “Beloved” by Toni Morrison

    “Beloved,” by Toni Morrison is a piece of contemporary literature. This story was inspired by the story of an African-American slave that temporarily escaped slavery by fleeing from Kentucky to Ohio. The woman killed her two-year old daughter rather than allowing her to be recaptured. “Beloved,” is a lot like this story because the main character, Sethe, kills her daughter and attempts to kill her other three children when a posse arrives in Ohio to return them to a plantation.

  • “Left for Dead” by Beck Weathers

    “Left for Dead,” by Beck Weathers, is a piece of contemporary literature that was published in 1990. This novel was based upon true events about a man who ends up getting stuck in the snow and having to fight for his life and get some help. He ends up losing his nose, hands, and ears to frostbite.

  • “The Human Stain” by Phillip Roth

    “The Human Stain,” written by Phillip Roth, is a piece of contemporary literature published in 2000. The story is told by the character, Nathan Zuckerman, a writer who lives in New England. His neighbor, a professor that is accused of racism, starts to cause stress to the peers around him. It is revealed that the professor is an African American who presented himself as a white. It demonstrates that society thinks wrongly just by the race of a person.

  • “Saturday” by Ian McEwen

    “Saturday,” by Ian McEwen is a contemporary piece of literature published in 2005. This novel explores one’s engagement with the modern world and the meaning of existence within it. The main character, a neurosurgeon named Henry Perowne, is successful in everyway possible. However, he still struggles to understand the meaning of his life. This story follows his struggles and exploration of personal satisfaction.