Assignment Detail

Assignment ID: FG133233258

Question: Throughout this course you have been reading works that tackle a cluster of related questions: What does it mean to be an American? How should Americans write? What should American literature focus on? Now it is your turn to address this topic.

Discuss what role American literature should play in the 21st century, ensure you answer these two interwoven questions:

What should American literature be?
What should American literature do?

Illustrate your points with examples from contemporary literary works. These do not have to be examples of how literature is succeeding; you may provide examples of how American literature is failing to respond to key social needs.

Focus these questions as tightly as you wish. For example, ask yourself what American literature should be in order to do a particular thing or to accomplish a particular goal. You may also imagine a specific context for your answer, perhaps speaking on behalf of a particular group or organization.

Address how you feel American literature should be written. Is there a style that is most American?

Consider broadly the question of what you feel American literature should do. This might include things like what goals American authors should have and what values they should represent in their work. For example, many skilled writers work in advertising. Is selling something a valid goal for American writers?

Make sense of what American literature is now. Consider how contemporary literature already responds to social trends and existing literary movements.