10 Questions
Who is considered the master of humour and realism in American literature?
Mark Twain
Which author wrote some of the earliest works in American literature?
John Smith
Who wrote the first African American book in American literature?
Phillis Wheatley
Which writer articulated the disillusionment of the Lost Generation?
Ernest Hemingway
Who focused her works on the black experience and received a Nobel Prize in 1993?
Toni Morrison
During which period did Norman Mailer and Irwin Shaw write realistic war novels?
The Modernist period
Which poet is mentioned as dominant and accomplished from the post-World War II years?
T.S. Eliot
What was the major characteristic of the poetry from 1945 to 1960?
Formal with regular rhyme and metre
Which dramatist wrote a work that came close to vindicating their modern, democratic concept of tragedy after World War II?
Arthur Miller
What is the primary characteristic of contemporary American literature?
Highly-politicized fiction
Study Notes
American Literature
- Mark Twain is considered the master of humor and realism in American literature.
Founders of American Literature
- The earliest works in American literature were written by John Smith.
African American Literature
- The first African American book in American literature was written by William Wells Brown.
The Lost Generation
- Ernest Hemingway articulated the disillusionment of the Lost Generation.
Nobel Prize in Literature
- Toni Morrison focused her works on the black experience and received a Nobel Prize in 1993.
Post-WWII Realism
- During the post-WWII period, Norman Mailer and Irwin Shaw wrote realistic war novels.
Post-WWII Poetry
- Robert Lowell is mentioned as a dominant and accomplished poet from the post-WWII years.
Poetry Characteristics
- The major characteristic of poetry from 1945 to 1960 was its focus on confessionalism.
Modern Tragedy
- Arthur Miller wrote a work that came close to vindicating the modern, democratic concept of tragedy after World War II.
Contemporary American Literature
- The primary characteristic of contemporary American literature is its diversity.
Explore the rich history of American literature from the early 17th century to the present day. Learn about the diverse range of authors and literary traditions that have shaped the American literary landscape.
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