American literature is defined as, “imaginative or creative writing, especially of recognized artistic value; the body of written works of a language, period, or culture.”1 American Literature grows and changes form throughout the years, whether this is the material used, or the way it is discussed. However, the importance of this study has never changed.
One major importance of the study of American Literature is that these pieces display ideas, communities, and morals. This is useful when relating to other people; American literature shows us where different norms and actions come from. For example, by reading a piece about Buddhism we can see this belief reflected in the writing and understand more about this culture. In an article I read, it stated, “Literature is diverse in its portraits of life and its claims about the world. Why take the time to read it then? Because humanity is valuable.”2 This settled in my mind, I asked myself how I know what other cultures are like. I thought about all the stories people have told me about different cultures, and different things I might have seen on television. However, I realized the only actual proper demonstration of culture, beliefs, and people is in literature. There is no better reflection of these traits then in literature.
Along with seeing and processing other cultures, this helps us discover the differences between our own culture and that of others. This can help us see why our culture may be distant from that of another. We can then take these distances and find ways to get closer to that other culture. For example, if many years ago when it was acceptable to have slaves, we read a piece of literature reflecting the life of a slave. This would help us fix the relationship we have between the slaves and slave owners. This would help us better relate the two and help both become a little happier. Not just one person ruling over the other.
American literature alone can help us know ourselves. I know growing up I haven’t learned too much about America’s past through reading. I used to learn about these events through a school teacher, lecture, or movie. However, American literature can display direct facts about our Nation’s past more than any teacher could ever display. It has been proven that by reading a piece of information it will settle longer in your brain than if you were to hear it verbally. Along with this, information can get distorted when passed from person to person verbally. When one person shares a story it can get over exaggerated, and twisted when told by the next person, and so on and so forth. However, if something is written and read the facts cannot change. This will then lead to accurate information. Not distorted and different than the original.
Some of the oldest literature found is in the early stages of America. One example of this is, “Arthur Barlow, The First Voyage Made to the Coasts of America,” this was written in 1589. This piece demonstrates how America was in its first years. We can learn about our past by reading this. This literature was written in the action and is a direct person. We can gain a better perspective of who we are and what makes up the people here.3
1. "Literature." Answers. 2009. 30 Mar 2009
2. Cowan, Louise. "Why Study American Literature." Invitation to the Classics 1998 30 Mar 2009
3. Campbell, D. "Brief Timeline of American Literature." 2007 30 Mar 2009
