The US, which emerged from World War 2 confident and economically strong, entered the Cold War in the late 1940s. The Cold War shaped the American Literature during the second half of 20th century.
The 1950s and 1960s
Brought Cultural Shifts
Due to civil rights movement and women’s
Prior to the last decades of 20th, American Literature was largely a story of dead white men who had created Art and of living white men doing the same. By the turn of 21st century, it had become a much more complex and inclusive story grounded on a wide ranging body of past writings produced in US. Literature written by African Americans shaped in many ways by Richard Wright (Black Boy,1945).
American Novel
After WW II
Forms: Realist, metafictional, postmodern, absurdist, autobiographical, short, long, fragmentary, feminist, stream of consciousness. Little holds them together beyond their chronological proximity and engagement with contemporary society.
Allen Gensinberg’s Howl (1956)
Pushed aside the formal, largely traditional poetic conventions that had come to dominate American poetry. Raucous, profane, and deeply moving. Reset American’s expectation for poetry in the second half of 20th century.
Drama
Early decades of contemporary period
This was dominated by three men:
Arthur Miller (Death of a Salesman, 1949)
Tenessee Williams (A Streetcar Named Desire, 1947, and Can on a Hot Tin Roof (1955)
Edward Albee (Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, 1962)
By the 1970s the face of American drama had begun to change, and it continued to diversify into 21st century.
David Mamet, Amiri Baraka, Sam Shepard, August Wilson
Joanne J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
THEMES:
Tolerance of People who are Different
The idea of tolerance within a community is highly important in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The plot of the novel explores this idea through Salazar Slytherin's intention to wipe out "mudbloods," or wizards with non- magical ancestors, from Hogwarts. Harry himself is only half-wizard, and Hermione's parents are both "Muggles," non-magical people. However, Harry and Hermione are better wizards than Malfoy, who is from a family of generations of pure wizard blood, showing that dedication and work, rather than genetic heritage, are the important factors in guaranteeing success.
Reliance on a Community
In the novel, almost nothing is achieved by a single person alone. Harry, Hermione, and Ron break the secret of the Chamber, find the entrance, and defeat the beast inside by working together. Each of the three adds a special element to the trio, and all depend on the others for support and assistance. When Harry and Ron are about to be eaten by spiders, Ron's car saves them; when Harry is about to be eaten by the basilisk, Dumbledore's phoenix saves him. . Although the three main characters are courageous, they are also able to seek help when necessary, either from each other or from outside sources. Although Harry is the protagonist and hero, he must rely on others to succeed.
The Importance of Choices
Dumbledore explains the importance of choices when he reassures Harry that Harry is meant to live in the Gryffindor dormitory. Although it is important for wizards to have inborn skill and astute minds, knowing how to use ability and knowledge is ultimately a more important trait. Harry, although famous from the beginning, is impressive because he does not count on his special abilities to protect him. Harry uses each moment as a springboard for the next test of his will and courage, making choices that shape his life, not waiting for his life to shape itself.
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