American literature

Until the end of the 18 th century, American literature was little else than a branch of English literature, and produced few works of outstanding merit.
Washington Irving may be considered as the real founder of American literature. The literature written during the period of the War of Independence was mostly of political character – such as a pamphlet of Thomas Paine demanding complete independence. Indepedence was proclaimed on July 4th 1776 in the Declaration of Independence, the main author of which was Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson spoke also about terrible problems of slavery.

After the Civil War the status of the Negroes has changed but economic and social relations did not change. The picture of slavery is given in the book by Harriet Beecher Stowe ?Uncle Tom?s Cabin? – she describes unhuman conditions of slavery – many scenes in the book are unforgettable (Eliza?s flight across the ice).

The first literary works after independence are represented by books of James Fenimore Cooper – they talk about American wilderness (The last of the Mohycans, The Pioneers…) Cooper?s novels are still widely read by young people.

Herman Melville was the great symbolist among American writers. On his travels he met and some time lived with a canibal tribe, went to Japan, his experiences at sea were the basis for the books Typee, Omoo – they talk about the advantures of two young Americans who were caught by the canibals. These they found more honest than civilized people. His best novel Moby Dick is a narrative about the fight between a big white whale Moby Dick and captain Ahab. Once this whale had crippled him, he lost his leg. Ahab doesn?t want to be defeated by this whale – he follows her with another ship and crew. Ahas is killed, the ship smashed. Moby-Dick represents a mighty natural power – the only survivor of Ahab?s ships is Ishmael who tells the story.

Many people prefer the works of Mark Twain. He successfully wrote for both children and adults. In our country he is known for his works The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Twain based these on his boyhood and early adult experiences of life and friendships in Mississipi. In other books, Twain drew on his vast travel experiences, his understanding of human nature, and his appreciation of comedy in life. On other hand, he was often gloomy in his outlook, which is also reflected in his writings.

Jack London became very popular with readers all over the world. Born in San Francisco, was a successful sailor, tramp and gold-miner before he took to writing. His most popular stories are those connected with Alaska at the time of gold rush, such as The Call of the Wild. The book is about Buck, a sledge dog, who loves its master. After its master is killed by the Indians, it becomes a leader of a wolf pack.

Upton Sinclair became famous with his novel ?The Jungle? which talks about the disorder and poor working conditions in the slaughter-houses and meat-packing industries in Chicago where there is no hygiene and the bodies of dead rats are tinned together with meat. Sinclair is the author of many historical novels.

Theodor Dreiser is the chief representative of the naturalistic school in America. All his works are biographical, reflecting his life, the conflicts between his parents, sisters and brothers and his own experiences. His master-piece is the novel ?The American Tragedy? – its hero, Clyde Griffiths, a poor boy, understands that the only possible success in life is financial success. Everything standing in his way he overcomes ruthlessly. Instead of marrying a poor girl whom he made pregnant, he plans to murder her. However, when he is with her in a boat on lonely lake, he cannot act and it is only by chance that the boat is overturned. He is executed for a crime he has not committed. He is only guilty not saving his girl.

The best known writers of the first half of the 20th century are Ernest Hemingway and John Steinbeck. Ernest Hemingway is one of American’s best known writers. He was born there in 1899. His native city is Illinois. He did not stay there all his life, however. Cuba and Paris became his adopted homes. Of course he lived in USA as well. Apart from this he traveled a lot in Africa where he hunted wild animals.
Ernest Hemingway worked as a newspaper reporter. That is also why he was interested in public affairs.
During the First World War he served in a hospital unit. During the Spanish Civil War he remained in Spain as a war correspondent. His life was interesting and full of adventures.
Ernest Hemingway belongs to the group of writers and artist group that calles themselves ?the lost generation?. Hemingway’s work includes a social critique and the atmosphere of public life. He tended to naturalism. He used brief, understandable and literary language. His books include frequent monologues.
Ernest loved adventure and danger, hunting, bullfighting and fishing. His life was varied and wild. His books reflect that.
He is the author of a Farewell to Arms, For whom the Bell Talls, The Green Hills of Africa. In his short novel The Old Man and the Sea for which he was awarded the Nobel prize, Hemingway shows the fight between the man and nature, which man must lose if he fights alone. The settings of this novel is in Cuba in the city called Havana, and later on the sea in the Gulf of Mexico. The action covers a very short period. The author pointed out the human dependence on nature and their mutual permanent struggle. According to E. Hemingway it is not possible gain mastery over nature.
All this symbolized by the positions of the little boy and the old man, the difference berween generations and finding and searching for something new. Man carries victory hidden inside him.
For Whom The Bell Tolls ? he reacted to the Spanish Civil War by celebrating mankind. He showed the danger that threatens all people. He described three days of American volunteer Jordan and his relation to the Spanish girl Maria.

John Steinbeck – another Nobel prize winner, is the author of many novels – his masterpiece The Grapes of Wrath, one of the best American novels reflecting the deep Depression which followed after the crisis of 1929. The Pearl, The Wayward Bus, Cannary Row, Sweet Thursday…

The American literature is very rich in really great authors. Let us mention only some outstanding literary personalities : Jerome David Salinger, John Updike (Rabbit…), Arthur Miller, Walt Whitman, Joseph Heller, Alex Halley, John Styron, Rob. Graves, James Clavell etc.