English Literature vs. American Literature

From 2015 to 2016, Chandra “Chandi” Krohl served as the director of talent and culture at Clarabridge, a software company in Reston, Virginia. There, she managed the company’s talent and oversaw management training programs. In her free time, Chandi Krohl enjoys reading and belongs to two book clubs.

Literature varies from country to country and is often identified in terms of its origin. National literature is often connected with national history.

English literature refers to the collection of literary work from Great Britain from the 7th century to today. The writing has gone through several eras: Old English Literature, Middle English Literature, English Renaissance, Neo-classical period, 19th-century literature, modern, post-modern, and 20th-century literature. It has featured many notable writers, such as William Shakespeare, Virginia Woolf, and Jane Austen.

American literature emerged more recently, in the 17th century. American literature is known for its portrayal of American culture and themes, largely shaped by the country’s history and revolutionary ideas. The US has produced writers such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jack London, and Flannery O’Connor.

Differences between the literature of England and America cut across style, genres, grammar, and narration. English literature employs classical British English, making its vocabulary richer than America’s more simplistic and accessible style. American literature also tends to mirror society’s history, revolutionary concepts, politics, and economics, while British literature focuses more on human values, romance, and ideals.