My perspective on American Literature

English 201 has provided me with a more extensive knowledge of early American Literature. Until I started this class my experience with literature was more focused on works of fiction, mostly from the late 19th century forward. I now have a greater appreciation for the writing of some of our earliest settlers.

Out of all of the readings we were assigned, I have to say my favorite would probably be the works of Benjamin Franklin. I was so pleasantly surprised that he was such a prolific and intelligent writer. I had always associated Franklin with science and politics, and never realized he had such success in writing. I found his autobiography fascinating, but I really enjoyed Poor Richard's Almanac. The humorous style, reminiscent of a child's nursery rhyme, made his advice about finances much more interesting. The rhyming quality made his words of wisdom much easier to remember and quote. The points he makes about saving and spending could be used by many in today's society, especially not using credit. I will probably read Franklin's works again.

I also really enjoyed reading the works of Edgar Allen Poe. The amazing way that he uses language to create a mood has always impressed me. Poe has a way of drawing the reader into the life of mental illness that is experinced by the characters. I have read The Tell-Tale Heart and The Black Cat before, but I still enjoyed them as much as the first time I read them.

There really weren't any of the readings that I didn't like. Some of them were easier to read than others, but I honestly found them all interesting in one way or another.
Reading has always been one of my favorite hobbies, so I really enjoyed spending time reading these new selections of American Literature.