INTRODUCTION

TO NORTH
AMERICAN
LITERATURE
 NORTH AMERICAN
LITERATURE
Early Years

During its early history, America was a

series of British colonies to what is now
known as the United States. Thus, the
literary tradition of the country can be
connected to the British literary tradition.
However, the modern day American writing
is completely separated from the earlier
tradition because of its diverse nature and
the breadth of its production.
The earlier American writings will include, Captain
John Smith‘s A True Relation of Virginia which
discussed the advantages of colonial rule to both
the colonies and the colonist audiences. Political
writings like the works of Samuel Adams, Benjamin
Franklin and Thomas Paine are hailed for its wit
and it contribution to building the nation that it is
today. Furthermore, the political writings of
Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay, and
Thomas Jefferson influenced their very Constitution.
The list of influential American writers will go on
and include Washington Irving, with his works
Salmagundi, A History of New York by Diedrich
Knickerbocker, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and
Rip Van Winkle to name a few; James Fenimore
Cooper and his classic, The Last of the Mohicans
; Edgar Allan Poe, who is considered the father of
short stories,wrote The Raven, The Cask of
Amontillado, The Falls of the House of Usher and a
lot more of other seminal works; Herman Melville‘s
Moby Dick and Nathaniel Hawthorne‘s The Scarlet
Letter comprise the Dark Romanticism subgenre.
-19th Century
To continue the shortlist of celebrated American
writers, you also have to take note of the works of
Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson who are
honoured as two of the greatest 19th century
poets; the proponents of realism, Mark Twain and
Henry James, should be remembered for their
writing style changed the way American‘s write
their language. The two writers created
characters who speak like real people and sound
distinctlyAmerican with accents native to their
region.
-19th Century
To continue the shortlist of celebrated American
writers, you also have to take note of the works of
Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson who are
honoured as two of the greatest 19th century
poets; the proponents of realism, Mark Twain and
Henry James, should be remembered for their
writing style changed the way American‘s write
their language. The two writers created
characters who speak like real people and sound
distinctlyAmerican with accents native to their
region.
-20th Century
At the beginning of the 20th century, American novelists started
experimenting in style and in subject matter. Writers like Edward
Bellamy,Upton Sinclair, and Henry Adams discussed political and
educational issues and the power of corporations in their works.
American writers alsoexpressed their disillusionment following
upon the war. F. Scott Fitzgeraldwrote, The Great Gatsby which
shows how the dreams and ambitions of theyouth may quickly
disappear and ultimately lead to disappointment.
There are many other influential writers that should be in the list
butthis introduction might go on for a while. Therefore, as a final
note, it must be noted that the history of American Literature is
very rich in content andtradition and definitely shaped the
writing style of contemporary writer.
HUNGER GAMES
Hunger Games is a 2008 dystopian
young adult novel by the American
writer Suzanne Collins. It is written
in the perspective of 16-year-old
Katniss Everdeen, who lives in the
future, post-apocalyptic nation of
Panem in North America.
 HUNGER GAMES:
CATCHING FIRE
Catching Fire details the aftermath of
Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark’s
victory in the 74th Hunger Games from
the first novel. Despite leaving the
arena, Katniss and her loved ones are
in more danger than ever as the threat
of punishment looms. In Catching Fire,
Collins explores the effects of trauma
and classism and how fascism
oppresses society. The novel also
investigates how strong emotions like
guilt, fear, and anger can spark
rebellion.
 HUNGER GAMES:
MOCKINGJAY PART 1
Following her rescue from the
devastating Quarter Quell, Katniss
awakes in the complex beneath the
supposedly destroyed District 13. Her
home, District 12, has been reduced to
rubble, and Peeta Mellark is now the
brainwashed captive of President
Snow. At the same time, Katniss also
learns about a secret rebellion
spreading throughout all of Panem -- a
rebellion that will place her at the
center of a plot to turn the tables on
Snow.
 HUNGER GAMES:
MOCKINGJAY PART 2

Mockingjay focuses on the civil war

between the 13 districts of Panem and
the oppressive government of the
Capitol. Through Katniss’s experiences
in the war, Collins explores cycles of
oppression, the meaning of love in
wartime, and the power of propaganda.
THANK
YOU
QUIZ
TIME!
 1. America was a series of
british colonies it is now known
as?
 2. Person who are honoured as
the greatest 19th century poets?
3. Who is the writer of Hunger
Games?

4. Story which discussed the

advantages of colonial rule to
both the colonies and colonist
audience
5. Considered as the father of
short stories
6. Who is the main character of
The Hunger Games?

7. Who is the fellow tribute of

the main character from the
same district?

(Full Names)
 8. Who is the President of
Panem?

9. What is the name of the main

character’s sister?

(Full Names)
10. Who is the Leader of the
Second Rebellion against the
Capitol?

(Full Names)
 ANSWERS:
1.United States
2.Walt Whitman/ Emily
Dickinson
3.Suzzane Collins
4.A True Relation of Virginia
5.Edgar Allan Poe
 ANSWERS:
6. Katniss Everdeen
7. Peeta Mellark
8. Coriolanus Snow
9. Primrose Everdeen
10. Alma Coin