Literature & The Arts of USA

How does an understanding of art or literature help us understand culture?

The literature constitutes an important part of company culture. The authors spread their spiritual thoughts through their writings, and help to shape the cultural thinking in individuals minds. Some famous literature not only represent the company’s spirits, but they also tell the world that what beliefs or dreams the country has. To some extent, literature and its comments can reflect too what degree do citizens accept the authors’ thoughts. Some may show the dislikes between individual and the author, some may show the spirit cohesion, and there are still others choose to stay neutral. What’s more, literature in different ages can help we outsiders and citizens know the history, as well as the experience the past authors wanted to tell us. Communications between the past and now, between the writers and readers, between one country and another all help us understand the culture. Imagine what would happen if there is no literature left and every people use electronic devices here and there, what spirit will they leave to their following generations?

What is an important literature in USA?

When it comes to the important literature in America, it is easy to think about The Great Gatsby which vividly depicts the pomp and bustle of American society in the 20th century, as well as people's fanatical pursuit of the American dream from a keen perspective. Gatsby pursued the "American Dream" all his life, and his pursuit of the American Dream and the final disillusionment of his dream are the true portrayal of many Americans in the early 20th century.

In the 1920 s, just after the end of World War I, Americans made a huge war fortune by selling arms, just like Gatsby who made money from bootlegging. Americans embrace the American Dream: the idea that a better life can be achieved through unremittingly hard work that prosperity can be achieved through hard work, courage, creativity, and determination. Americans had thought that the world would be peaceful and better after the First World War. With the money earned, the United States would be able to gain its place in the established countries of Europe. But the storm came quietly, the war did a lot of damage to the world, and the Great Depression came in the 1930 s. Once, the American dream was broken. Gatsby fell before he woke up, but countless Americans witnessed the breaking of the dream. Just like the lines of this traditional literature in movie:

How does this literature help us understand USA?

The setting of The Great Gatsby is in 1920 s, when the Great War had ended and America had made a huge war fortune on account of it. Additionally, the Second Industrial Revolution enabled America become a fast-developed industrial country, creating a splendid society in this period. This novel gives a vivid portrait of the luxurious but fragile American lives during this era, as well as introduce the concept of America Dream to audience. American Dream is a significant element that supports us to better understand the core spirit of citizens, which represents hard work, persistence, and material prosperity. However, in the golden age of the 1920 s, American seems lose in money worship, lack of morals and spiritual world. When audience read the book, not only can they get the idea of American history at that time, but also comprehend the impact on American from the Great War to the Roaring Twenties. We find the narrator’s introspection through the tragedy of Gatsby. With the tragedy, audience come across the social changes of the US as well as one of the origins of modern American character.