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I'm currently writing a discursive essay on How literature impacts upon our society.'
The term literature I am using to portray old books, I do not consider books written in this century literature, even if they are extremely well written I am not interested in considering them for this essay.
I posted a question about my arguments and case studies, many thanks to Mike Y for answering, to whom I'm much obliged.
He offered me an idea of exploring an antebellum American piece of literature, I did a little research on the topic as I am British and do not know much of American literature other than the very famous ones, I do hope to read more of it now though.
Basically I'm looking for a piece of Antebellum American Literature (Preferably one that is quite famous) but most importantly I'm looking for one that depicts people as a certain thing, perhaps woman as inferior to men &c, &c. Again thanks to Mike Y for the idea. (:
Anyway, any suggestions of a piece of Antebellum American Literature would be great.
Thanks;
~Kirsten
Answer
You're welcome, Kirsten. Apparently I have no life and answer people's writing questions all day on my day off. =P I had a lot of works in mind, actually. The best choice might be the "Leatherstocking Tales" by James Fenimore Cooper. A little background:
When Alexander the Great's soldiers conquered a country, one thing they did to reduce conflict between the natives and themselves was to have children with the native women. This is something Cooper sort of does in literature with Natty Bumppo: a white man raised by Native Americans. So his character can be seen as good for American society at the time because it showed readers the Native American way of life, which was in danger due to loss of land/resources, and suggests that Native Americans are in fact people.
On the other hand, Bumppo can also be seen as a stereotype. Many passages in the novels are monologues that are so melodramatic that they're almost ridiculous. So what might be bad about him is that he suggests all Native Americans are fearless warriors who shed a tear every time a buffalo is shot. (Similar to Rousseau's 'noble savage' nonsense).
You're welcome, Kirsten. Apparently I have no life and answer people's writing questions all day on my day off. =P I had a lot of works in mind, actually. The best choice might be the "Leatherstocking Tales" by James Fenimore Cooper. A little background:
When Alexander the Great's soldiers conquered a country, one thing they did to reduce conflict between the natives and themselves was to have children with the native women. This is something Cooper sort of does in literature with Natty Bumppo: a white man raised by Native Americans. So his character can be seen as good for American society at the time because it showed readers the Native American way of life, which was in danger due to loss of land/resources, and suggests that Native Americans are in fact people.
On the other hand, Bumppo can also be seen as a stereotype. Many passages in the novels are monologues that are so melodramatic that they're almost ridiculous. So what might be bad about him is that he suggests all Native Americans are fearless warriors who shed a tear every time a buffalo is shot. (Similar to Rousseau's 'noble savage' nonsense).
Who are the greatest protagonists in American literature?
Pr�spero
I need several, so as many suggestions as you have from classic American works would be great. And make sure they're Americans (Harry Potter is British, Katniss Everdeen is Panemian).
Answer
Guy Montag, Fahrenheit 451
Holly Golightly, Breakfast at Tiffany's
David Bowman, 2001: A Space Odyssey
Rick Deckard, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep
Addie Bundren, As I Lay Dying
Jay Gatsby, The Great Gatsby
Ralph, Lord of the Flies
Hester Prynne, The Scarlet Letter
Yossarian, Catch-22
Manuel O'Kelly Davis, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress
Santiago (the old man), The Old Man and the Sea
Robert Jordan, For Whom the Bell Tolls
Jake Barnes, The Sun Also Rises
Sal Paradise, On the Road
Robert Neville, I Am Legend (the book, way different from the movie)
Captain Ahab (or the Whale, depending on your interpretation), Moby-Dick
Willy Loman, Death of a Salesman
Esther Greenwood, The Bell Jar
Holden Caulfield, Catcher in the Rye
George, Of Mice and Men
Tom Sawyer & Huck Finn
Billy Pilgrim, Slaughterhouse Five
Atticus Finch, To Kill a Mockingbird (Scout is the POV character, but it could be argued that Atticus is the protagonist)
Too bad you can't include Brits, otherwise you'd have Arthur Dent from Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Guy Montag, Fahrenheit 451
Holly Golightly, Breakfast at Tiffany's
David Bowman, 2001: A Space Odyssey
Rick Deckard, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep
Addie Bundren, As I Lay Dying
Jay Gatsby, The Great Gatsby
Ralph, Lord of the Flies
Hester Prynne, The Scarlet Letter
Yossarian, Catch-22
Manuel O'Kelly Davis, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress
Santiago (the old man), The Old Man and the Sea
Robert Jordan, For Whom the Bell Tolls
Jake Barnes, The Sun Also Rises
Sal Paradise, On the Road
Robert Neville, I Am Legend (the book, way different from the movie)
Captain Ahab (or the Whale, depending on your interpretation), Moby-Dick
Willy Loman, Death of a Salesman
Esther Greenwood, The Bell Jar
Holden Caulfield, Catcher in the Rye
George, Of Mice and Men
Tom Sawyer & Huck Finn
Billy Pilgrim, Slaughterhouse Five
Atticus Finch, To Kill a Mockingbird (Scout is the POV character, but it could be argued that Atticus is the protagonist)
Too bad you can't include Brits, otherwise you'd have Arthur Dent from Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
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