ABSTRACT
The story of American literature reflects the vibrant and sometimes violent origins of the lands that formed the United States of America. American literature begins with narratives of indigenous Americans and international explorers, extending to the creative work of slaves and other disenfranchised people. Immigrants and their descendants, as well as the nation’s continued influx of new immigrants, also contribute to the ongoing rebirth of the American character. Whether or not one adopts the metaphor of the United States as a melting pot, in which its citizens come together in the creation of a uniquely American ethos, its literary tradition speaks with diverse voices, and often with an eye to the land itself.
