2) American literature

American literature is much younger than British literature. It was only a branch of English
literature until the end of the 18th century. Popular works of that time included historical
essays, religious prose and poetry. The real history of American literature begins with the
War of Independence.

One of representatives the 19th century literature was MARK TWAIN, who is considered to
be the father of American literature. He was against slavery and he defended women’s
rights. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn are based on
his own childhood and life experiences.
Another representative of the 19th century was EDGAR ALLAN POE. He was a famous poet,
editor and literary critic. He married his cousin Virginia, who died, and that affected him alot.
He had a big problem with alcohol and depression. Poe’s death is as mysterious as his books
because the cause of his death has never been revealed. His works are influenced by dark
romanticism, he wrote many horror stories. He is considered to be the father of the
detective fiction genre. His famous poem is called The Raven and his famous collection of
short stories is called The Black cat and other stories.

In the twenties America was characterized by the growth of business because there were no
regulations. There were also low taxes that led to a huge short-term economic success. Then
there was the crash of a stock market and prohibition. America faced serious economic
troubles.
This era is also associated with modern industry, such as car industry. For example
Hollywood was created in that time. People are also started to spend money, to have fun,
which was not commnon in the past.

In the end of the First World War, the veterains came home and THE LOST GENERATION was
created. The term Lost generation was invented by Gertrude Stein. It was a group of writers
who were influenced by the First World War. They were wouned, traumatised after coming
back to America. They believed that there was no God in the USA, everything was a mess
and world was obssesed with money. They were disillusioned by the USA. Authors left the
country and emigrated to Europe, especially Paris. Literature served as a therapy, they were
escaping from traumas through writing. They were searching for meaning of life without
material values. Main characters were often people from streets. The Lost Generation
includes writers such as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald and John Steinbeck.

ERNEST HEMINGWAY was one of the most famous writers in 20th century and Nobel Prize
winner for literature. He brought psychological realism together with symbolism. He uses a
special method of telling stories, so called iceberg method. He says only the main plot itself,
the rest is hidden, and readers must read „between the lines“. His famous work is a novella
The Old Man and the Sea or a novel The Sun also rises.

Another representative is FRANCIS SCOTT FITZGERALD. He was one of the main characters
of American literature. He expressed his disillusionment, disappointment and the crash of
“American Dream” in modern America in his work The Great Gatsby. He criticized society as
selfish and empty inside. His other works are Jazz Age Tails, Tender is the Night.
Another representative of 20th century literature and also the “Lost Generation” was JOHN
STEINBECK. His famous work is Of mice and Men.

The BEAT GENERATION was a group of young writers, who were against the conventions of
mainstream American life. They explored American culture and politics in post war America.
These writers focused on individualism. They were inspired by drugs, jazz music,
homosexuality and prostitution. They created new trends in prose and poetry. They wrote in
an authentic and free style. Beat poets includes ALLEN GINSBERG, whose famous book is
called The Howl. Other writers of the Beat generation were Jack Kerouac or Ken Kesey.(kízi)

Some of the best living American writers are Stephen King, the author of It and The Shining,
which were both made into a film. And also, as I mentioned before, George R.R. Martin, who
is the author of A Song of Ice and Fire, which has been made into a very successful series
called Game of Thrones.