classic American literature

Classic American literature refers to works considered foundational to the American literary tradition—novels, stories, poems, and essays that have endured as culturally significant.

The canon typically includes authors like Twain, Melville, Hawthorne, Fitzgerald, and Faulkner.

What counts as classic is contested; the traditional canon skewed heavily toward white male authors, prompting ongoing revision to include previously marginalized voices.

We read classic American literature in high school.