Common Themes among American Literature
American Literature is a collection of the English language expressions, scenes, sounds, and sayings, and some historical documents in written, spoken, or visual form. It portrays personal and general perception, awareness education, technology, ideals and attitudes, and other life-related issues in the United States. Sources can be accessed either in real-time such as during social, religious, and political functions, stage performances, and live streaming. Also, they can be stored, retrieved, and shared electronically. The sources include social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter; electronic gadgets such as mobile phones, radios, television screens, and print media, which comprises books, journals, and periodicals.
Much as literature is expressed differently, interpreted in various ways, is relative to a given context, and is specific to time, the primary sources of information reveal that authors, actors, and producers of different genres often have in mind an issue they want to address, a point they want to put across, an emotion to relieve and share, or simply a story to tell. The American literary compositions and documentaries are centered on issues that reflect personal convictions and life experiences and reflections, religious inclinations and cultural practices, natural and supernatural occurrences, and sometimes logic. The American literature has been instrumental in giving the people a sense of identity, determining the American citizens’ individual, social, and economic dynamics, and ensuring growth and stability. The main themes include the following; human relationship with nature, society, science, beauty, perception and reality, and morality. However, American literature is founded on issues that are specific to the people of America. They include; the American dream, adulating and the loss of innocence, alienation and isolation, survival for the fittest, rebellion and protest, and disillusionment.
The American Dream
The American dream literature stems from the hope of a new heaven and earth for the Americans by Edward Albee. It was first produced in January 1961 at the York Playhouse, New York (Kamp and David).
The dream envisions better living conditions, economic growth and development, improved social welfare, and happy living for all citizens. It guarantees endless opportunities in education and employment, a sense of positivity and the hope for greater achievement, and ensures self-reliance and improved productivity. Since this time, the American dream has been repeatedly articulated in various forms and has inspired rapid changes in the U.S. Key among these reforms to include the declaration of independence and the bill of rights, and address by Emerson to ‘ The American Scholar,’ Woodrow Wilson’s idealism and the wisdom of Abraham Lincoln. Over time, the dream has been the distinction of U.S people and still stands out to better the lives of all citizens and improve democracy.
Loss of Innocence
The loss of innocence and the coming of age are American literature themes that go hand in hand. Sources indicate that as people move from childhood to adulthood, their innocence and unexamined beliefs are challenged and shed off with more experience and awareness. An example is a young, innocent man who believes killing is wrong only to end up a soldier in war and has to kill for survival. The loss of innocence, in this case, means that the grown man should find a way to adjust to the new norm and live with it like an adult. It can also be illustrated by a child who grows up believing that dishonesty is morally unacceptable only to find himself in a situation where he has to lie to get out alive. This is well demonstrated in the American film, ‘Age of Innocence’ which is an adaptation from Edith Warton’s novel. In this film, May Archer, a character that symbolizes innocence, lies to her husband, Newland. Her cousin Olenska, who was to become her cowife, had decided to leave New York for Europe, and the cousin that she is pregnant at the end of their affair.
Disillusionment
This is arguably the most common theme in American literature. It reflects the mentality and feelings that plagued the Americans in the early 20th century and is characterized by mental emancipation, where ignorance is replaced with knowledge, innocence with experience, idealism with realism, change in perception, and the tendency towards maturity. In the modernistic era of the American civilization, modern life was mostly expressed in writing. American literature evolved from the traditional forms and styles of poetry and other literary works. In as much as the works were very different, authors of the time shared a common purpose; the essence of modernity. The authors reflected on the Americans’ traditional confusion and their poor mindset, especially during the world wars and the great depression, where people struggled to understand themselves and what was ailing the status quo. In her poem ‘The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock,’ T.S Eliot indicates a rapid loss of hope and a decline in morality and the pre-existing social values. She writes, ” But though I have wept and fasted, I have wept and prayed/ I have seen my head brought on a platter/I am no prophet – and here’s no greater matter/I have seen the moment of my greatness flicker/And I have seen the Footman hold my coat and snicker/And in short, I was afraid,” (lines 84-89)
Relationship with nature, society, and science
Man’s relationship with nature and the universe, and society and science is dominant American literature (Josephs). Emerson wrote, “I yielded myself to the perfect whole,” while Melville complained that “nature absolutely paints like a harlot.” The themes of nature, society, and science have been illustrated differently in American literature, but they are interdependent and cuts across all works. According to sources, man’s personal and social responsibility is to take care of the natural surroundings and incorporate science in carrying out this natural assignment.
Conclusion
American literature is a collection of literary works specific to the United States and all her citizens. It is an embodiment of the diverse American socio-cultural understanding and organization that encompasses the aspects of human living which include personal and interpersonal relationships and details changes in the evolution of peoples’ perception of themselves and the surrounding, their perspective towards the concepts of reality, society, morality, truth, and justice among other common and sometimes conflicting social issues.