American literature: from puritanism to postmodernism
E Barry
8 points * 2 hours per week * First semester * Clayton
The subject is an introduction to some of the major writers in American literature and an exploration of the concept of a national literary identity. Beginning in the nineteenth century when the interplay of inherited European cultural forms and a burgeoning literary nationalism was at its most fruitful, the subject ranges from the puritan heritage of the great New England writers through to American postmodernism, and includes the contribution of black American writers.
Assessment
Seminar paper (15 minutes): 20% * Essay (1500 words): 20% * Essay (3000 words): 40% * Seminar participation: 20%
Prescribed texts
Anderson, D (ed.) Enchanted apartments, sad motels McPhee Gribble
Baym N and others (eds) The Norton anthology of American literature 4th edn, Vol. I
James The turn of the screw and other short novels Signet
Morrison Tar baby Pan
Twain The adventures of Huckleberry Finn Penguin
Wharton The house of mirth Penguin
Preliminary reading
Bercovitch S Ideology and classic American literature
Fender S American literature in context, 1620-1830 Methuen
Harding B American literature in context, 1830-1865 Methuen
Lawrence D H Studies in classic American literature
Reising R The unusable past
Roland R and Bradbury M From puritanism to post-modernism: A history of American literature Penguin
Ziff L Literary democracy Penguin