Critical introductions to a range of literary topics and genres.The literature written by Americans during the twentieth century encompasses a wide variety of voices; voices that attempt to capture the breadth and diversity of American experience in a century of dizzying change. This book examines the dramatic social changes and political events - such as the Great Depression, American involvement in the Second World War and the civil rights movement - that helped to shape American writing throughout the century.The literature written by Americans during the twentieth century encompasses a wide variety of voices; voices that attempt to capture the breadth and diversity of American experience in a century of dizzying change. This book examines the dramatic social changes and political events - such as the Great Depression, American involvement in the Second World War and the civil rights movement - that helped to shape American writing throughout the century.Critical introductions to a range of literary topics and genres. The literature written by Americans during the twentieth century encompasses a wide variety of voices; voices that attempt to capture the breadth and diversity of American experience in a century of dizzying change. This book examines the dramatic social changes and political events - such as the Great Depression, American involvement in the Second World War and the civil rights movement - that helped to shape American writing throughout the century.Introduction; 1. Reading 20th century American literature; 2. Approaching the texts; 3. Texts and extracts; 4. How to write about 20th century American literature; 5. Resources.