RCL: Subjects
AMERICAN LITERATURE The American Literature section contains works regularly taught in the course of the undergraduate major in English literature, and as such includes canonical works by major American authors, as well as other works regularly studied. These selections are supported by a variety of critical, biographical, and literary-historical works devoted to individual authors and to periods. Unlike BCL3, no effort was made to include the complete works of every author, and selection in general tended away from, rather than toward, the inclusion of complete letters, bibliographies of critical works, concordances, and other materials more appropriate to a research collection than one supporting the undergraduate curriculum. Although critical works tend to be more recent, an effort was made to include the most valuable of older works. For additional coverage of literary criticism and theory, see also the General Language and Literature section of RCL. Particular attention was paid to the inclusion of works of writers of color and women writers; generally, these individual writers and works were selected on the basis of how commonly they are taught in the undergraduate curriculum. For additional coverage, see also the African American Studies; Asian American Studies; Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Studies; and Latino Studies sections of RCL. Where possible, works are recommended in their newest, most reliable edition. Some works are available only as reprints, while a few are out of print, though still recommended. Return to Subject List