Literature has played a crucial role in shaping society and evoking change. American literature has been no exception, with some of its greatest novels serving as a mirror to the social and political conditions and conflicts of different times. The great American novels, for instance, took on “the task of painting the American soul,” as John William De Forest once propounded, and brought to the fore not only its culture but also its greatest authors.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Published in 1960, To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in a fictional town in Alabama during the 1930s Great Depression. The book chronicles the childhood of Scout, the protagonist and narrator, and Jem Finch, as their father, Atticus, defends a man falsely accused of a crime. This coming-of-age story intricately explores themes of race, injustice, and the evils of society while also touching up on the ideas of empathy and justice. To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee’s first novel, won the Pulitzer Prize and was later adapted into a film that went on to win three Academy Awards.
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
Also set during the Great Depression, The Grapes of Wrath has been highly admired for its Biblical imagery and parallels. It revolves around a family driven away from their home during the Dust Bowl and experiencing economic hardships. The novel was originally published in 1939 and has won two of the most esteemed awards in literature: the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. John Steinback, the author, also won a Nobel Prize in Literature for it.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Set in the 1860s and early 1870s, Little Women is a coming-of-age story that follows the lives of four sisters. It depicts the passage of their life from childhood to womanhood, exploring themes of love, changes in society, and the role of women. The novel is also known for being loosely based on the life of Louisa May Alcott and her three sisters.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Great Gatsby is a novel set in the Jazz Age, the 1920s, exploring the idea of the American Dream. It revolves around the self-made millionaire Jay Gatsby as he pursues a wealthy young woman, Daisy Buchanan, whom he loved in his youth. As the story unfolds, it explores the themes of realism, modernism, and love. The Great Gatsby has inspired many movies, one of them being the 2013 adaptation directed by Baz Luhrmann and starring Leonardo Dicaprio.
Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Published in 1939, Gone With the Wind is a historical romance novel set during the Civil War. It revolves around the life of Scarlett O’Hara and how the Civil War and the Reconstruction Era affected her and her family. A year after the novel was published, Margaret Mitchell was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for it. A year after that, the book was adapted into a movie, which then went on to win eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey
The semi-novel is set in a psychiatric facility in Oregon and tells the story of Randle Patrick McMurphy, whose rebellious attitude does not sit well with the staff. The themes explore the idea of rebelling against society’s norms and the rules of conformity. Interestingly, much of this book’s plot is based on the author Ken Kesey’s personal experience with those who got the shorter end of the stick and faced the dehumanizing effects of institutionalization.
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
Set during the Second World War, Catch-22 is a satirical war novel widely regarded as one of the most important pieces of literature of the 20th century. The book revolves around a fictional character, Captain John Yossarian, who becomes more fearful of his superiors than the enemy troops. This paradoxical situation forms the crux of the plot.
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
A sequel to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, has been held in high regard owing to the themes it explores. These include the ideas of identity, freedom, and social responsibility. The book is set in the 1830s and 1840s and follows Huckleberry Finn, who runs away from his home and befriends a stranger, Jim, with whom he embarks on a raft journey down the Mississippi River.
Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
Also called The Whale, Moby-Dick is considered one of the most legendary pieces of literature. It revolves around a sailor, Ahab, who is determined to seek revenge against a giant white whale called Moby Dick. The book is admired for its various themes: knowledge, duty, friendship, and defiance. The book was later adapted into a film starring Gregory Peck.
A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway
Set during the First World War, A Farewell to Arms is the first-person account of an American ambulance driver, Frederic Henry. During the Italian campaign of the war, Henry is posted as an ambulance driver for the Italian army. As the plot progresses, the readers witness Henry falling in love with a nurse set against the backdrop of war.
The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
The author details two days in the life of a teenager, Holden Caulfield. Despite spanning such a short timeline, the readers explore various aspects of Holden’s life, including his friendships, search for identity, loneliness, and, mainly, alienation. Along with these, the book also explores superficiality as a theme with great intricacy.
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
Published in 1969, Slaughterhouse-Five or The Children’s Crusade: A Duty-Dance with Death is an anti-war novel with some elements of science fiction narrated in both first and third person. It delves into how Billy Pilgrim, the protagonist, processes the events of wars through time travel. Along with anti-war themes, the book explores several ideas of philosophy, modernism, and postmodernism.
The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner
Set in the early 20th century, The Sound and the Fury follows the downfall of a family and explores it from the perspectives of different characters. The book’s non-linear and unconventional storytelling style has garnered widespread acclaim. The book has also received a lot of appreciation for exploring its characters’ interior monologues and streams of consciousness.
