American Values In F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gats

When reading some of the vast list of stories and poems dubbed American literature, it seems as though every genre and style of writing is represented, from science fiction to romance, adventure to tragedy. What sets these books apart from those written in other countries? When considering the degree of “Americanness” of a piece of writing is, one must consider how well it describes the intended era and how well it portrays American values such as freedom and equality.
Classic American literature is often distinguishable by how well the pieces of writing sum up the era. For example, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is credited with being one of the best novels written about the “Roaring Twenties” and its seemingly never ending prosperity that was abruptly followed by the Great Depression. When reading an expertly crafted piece of American literature, readers
In her tribute to her late father, Brooks described her father’s life and her belief that his soul lives on. In Honor of David Anderson Brooks, My Father does not tell of a specific time period, as some literature does, but it is a relatable poem for many people. Everyone will go through the loss of a parent, so the poem stirs emotions in even its most stoic readers. The poem does feature several American values, such as change and progress. The death of a parent is a very dramatic change in anyone’s life, and Brooks’s poem shows progress and growth as she accepts her father’s death. In Honor of David Anderson Brooks, My Father begins with Brooks describing the somber mood that has fallen upon her house but ends with an acknowledgement of her father’s kind soul, which she knows will live on. Because In Honor of David Anderson Brooks, My Father only mildly describes a period in American history but does include several American values, I believe that the poem is second degree