American Literature

Paper Summary:

This paper argues that certain themes conspire to create a uniquely American literary voice. It contends that specifically these motifs are a very staunch Christian ethos, a sense of American exceptionalism most vividly captured in the work of James Winthrop. Also a firm if not vehement commitment to individuality, personal industry and liberty are mentioned.

From the Paper:

"There can be little question that a nation's spirit is found in its national canon. The reason for this is that people rarely set pen (or quill) to paper to write something when they could far more easily just say it. The act of writing, the labor involved, presupposes that - in most instances - what a writer has to say is important to him or her. As it pertains to America, it is clear that certain things are especially important to Americans and those "things" or concepts animate American literature in a very special way. This paper will argue that certain themes conspire to create a uniquely American literary voice. Specifically, these themes (they may also be called motifs) are a very staunch Christian ethos, a sense of American exceptionalism (most vividly captured in the work of James Winthrop) and a firm if not vehement commitment to individuality, personal ..."

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