Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Is there such a thing as the Great American Novel...
I came across this recently. I am still trying to decide how I feel about it. Is there such a thing as the Great American Novel? Can we pick just one? Or is it dependent on the time period? National attitudes change so can there just be one novel? I have to lean towards saying there is not such a thing. We are a large nation with a very diverse population. I don't see how one novel can captivate and enlighten us to the great American experience. There are novels that have come close though. And these novels must be read. By everyone. For no other reason than to experience what it can be like to live in this country. We do have a worthy body of literature to represent us. I just don't see how one novel can represent all of us which is what, in my opinion at least, the Great American Novel should do...
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3 comments:
now i hate to bring up semantics, but are we talking about The Great American Novel or the Great American Novel? 'The...' for me would denote one and only one. like The Constitution vs. the Constitution. which one are we talking about?
that being said...when i think of great american novels, i think of novels that speak to or have some spirit of america. i think of authors like twain, fitzgerald, & dickens. works like finn, gatsby, & expectations. these are the works that come to my mind. those that capture an american spirit. those that capture an american time.
but now kids can't read huck finn, because it says 'nigger'; well what did that novel teach us? what was the message?
is there one Great American Novel? no. but there are many...
[shalom...]
You mention some great works of literature. But do they really capture the american spirit? Or just a piece of it? Or even a time? For a segment of the population maybe. For all no. That for me is the problem. We are too large and diversified to have one novel capture the quintessential experience. They all just show a part of what being an american is. So I say there is no great amercican novel. Just great novels...
i think the question really is 'is there an objective american spirit?' if no, then that idea will change depending on the time period. if yes, then there is something which all american novels share...and then it becomes a search for that.
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