Why It Is Important to Study American Literature
In the present day and time, American culture is rapidly becoming divided, and polarized based
on differences. Many of these differences pit faith against the world. Reading and understanding the
context of American literature, from the origins of the country, can provide examples of how to
overcome differences and unite as a country that embraces the unique diversity and the strong ties to
faith that birthed the United States of America.
American literature is unique in that the voice of American literature is vastly diverse. Many
nations’ refugees migrated to what is now the United States of America. By the year 1740, the American
colonial population was 905,600 and that population included people from England, Africa, Spain,
France, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, Holland, and Native Americans, (Belasco, 27, 2019). As the American
colony grew in population, it also grew in the variety of ideas, thoughts, and voices. Those unique voices
are the foundation of American literature.
The early works of American writers focused mostly on daily accounts, squabbles with the
natives, and faith-based reflections and practices. Reviewing these works can point the reader to a time
when all issues, big and small, were prayed over and taken to God for assistance and guidance. Faith in
God, oftentimes, was the only thing the colonist had that was consistent. Figuring out which crops to
grow, challenging weather, and maintaining peace with natives and other colonists from different lands
were constantly changing issues that the colonist faced every day. Their one constant was God and their
faith that he would see them through.
American literature also is a great history measuring stick. Readers of American literature can
see how thirteen colonies, vastly different in culture and knowledge, united to become one nation, and
how that one nation changed over time to become more inclusive and more tolerant of the citizens.
Literature is a vitally important tool used to understand history. Without understanding history, failures
from the past are likely to repeat again and again. American literature is unique in that encompasses
many different voices. From the inception of America, God was central to these voices and his presence
is reflected in the literature, culture, and government. Moving away from this understanding of
America’s foundation and from a country centered on God, will only divide us back to being small sub-
divided colonies instead of one great nation.
Work Cited
Belasco, Susan. The Bedford Anthology American Literature, Volume 1, Second Edition, Liberty University.
Liberty Online Bookshelf. Macmillan Higher Education, 2019.
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