All about American Literature

College Guide World

American literature encompasses the body of written and literary works produced within the geographical bounds of the United States and its preceding colonies. This rich tradition has evolved over centuries, reflecting the diverse cultures, histories, and experiences that have shaped the nation. For more focused explorations of American poetry and theater, one might turn to dedicated studies on the Poetry of the United States or Theater in the United States, which delve into these specific genres in greater detail.

In the early stages of its development, American literature was deeply intertwined with the broader tradition of English literature. This connection is rooted in the fact that the United States began as a collection of British colonies situated along the eastern seaboard of what is now the present-day United States. As a result, much of the literary output from this period was heavily...