Characteristics
The United States has such a large and varied literature that no generalizations could be made about it. Three characteristics seem to stand out.
First, American literature reflects beliefs and traditions that come from the nation's frontier days. The pioneer ideals of self-reliance and independence appear over and over again in American writings. Authors have great respect for the value and importance of the individual. They tend to reject authority and the equality of the people.
Second, American writers have always had a strong tendency to break with literary tradition…
