^{Image by StockSnap from Pixabay, https://pixabay.com/photos/guy-man-reading-book-business-2557251/}

If you’ve never read older texts before, know that reading some 19th and early 20th century American literature may be a different experience for you.

First, please understand that these texts were written at a time when different cultural and social values were accepted. Because you’re reading texts from authors whose orientation was to be authentic, there will be language used at the time period that is totally inappropriate by today’s standards. However, it’s important to read original, unedited versions of these texts, because language itself helps you understand the world views and cultural contexts in which these texts were created. (And know that “understand” does not mean “condone.”)

Second, please know that “American” means all groups and ideas.  The readings you’ll be doing represent the experience of many writers, including African Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, and more. They represent different regional experiences and literary philosophies, such as the Harlem Renaissance, Modernism, Beat Poetry, and more. America has always been a heterogeneous society; the literature included in this course represents this multiplicity of groups and ideas.

Third, there is so much more to American literature 1865-Present than what you will read in one college course. If a literary time period or particular author interests you, know that there are many additional pieces of literature in your text and online. You’re encouraged to read more widely and pursue your interests.

The video below contains useful information about the “why” and “how” of reading American literature.

^{Video by Lance Eaton. Introduction – What Is American Literature? YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzbug5gtVIw}

Strategies for Reading American Literature 1865-Present

As you read, you may find the following strategies helpful in understanding the texts and gaining a greater appreciation for both the texts and their contexts.

• Read slowly and carefully. Don’t try to rush through the readings. Schedule adequate time to read without pressure, and to reread when necessary. Remember, having to read a piece more than once is not bad – it just takes a bit more time.
• Read out loud. Sometimes older works, written using longer sentences or different words than we are used to, are easier to follow if you read out loud, saying and hearing the sentences. This practice also helps you to appreciate the emphasis, cadence, and poetry of the lines.
• Supplement your reading. Sometimes reading a book about the period, seeing a movie set during the same time, or reading secondary works about the text can help you find new ways to appreciate and understand the work.
• Consider the context. Think about the historical events happening at the time the text was written. Also consider the writing situation – the writer, the purpose for writing, the intended reader – and speculate on the public’s response to the writing at the time.
• Look up words as needed. You can often define unfamiliar words by the sentence context, but if you can’t and you feel that the unfamiliar word is important, look up the word. If this process breaks up the flow of your reading, go back and read through the work a second time, without the dictionary interruptions.
• Don’t be fearful of unfamiliar works. Students sometimes feel baffled by writing that can’t be categorized in terms of their prior reading experience. Realize that writing comes in all forms and styles and enjoy the experience of engaging with new and different expressive styles.
• Don’t worry if you don’t understand everything you read. Some of this reading may be difficult, but don’t give up. Simply write down the elements or ideas with which you felt uncomfortable, then go back into the text and reread. Try to understand as much as possible, but know that it’s o.k. to have some questions and uncertainty. Experts have questions – and questions often lead to more productive reading and understanding.
• Enjoy your reading! You probably like to read already – so enjoy these readings from various time periods. These texts can help you understand American literary history, this country’s development from the 19th century, and our contemporary relationship to society, nature, art, religion, each other, and ourselves.