What is the Difference Between English Literature and American Literature?

The main differences between English literature and American literature can be categorized into several aspects, including history, themes, language, and narration style. Here are the key distinctions:

1. History: English literature emerged earlier than American literature, as America was a British colony. English literature has a greater depth of history to draw on than American literature.
2. Themes: English writers mostly emphasize their culture and manners, while American writers discuss American history and social issues. English literature reflects English culture and mannerisms, while American literature mirrors American culture, its history, and revolutionary concepts such as relationships with the church, the state, and supernatural elements.
3. Language: English literature is written in British English, while American literature is written in American English. British writers tend to use classical British English with a richer vocabulary, while American writers use more modern and simpler language.
4. Narration Style: British literature seems to concentrate on wit and chooses themes, styles, and significance over characters and plots. In contrast, American authors tend to write with more focus on characters and plots, often discussing political and social issues.
5. Grammar: There are differences in grammar between English and American literature. American literature adopts certain linguistic elements that differ from British literature, such as the use of the present perfect tense in American English.
6. Genres: English literature has a strong tradition of children's literature, with famous works like "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll and the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling.

In summary, English literature and American literature differ in their history, themes, language, narration style, grammar, and genres. While both literatures have influenced each other and share some similarities, their unique characteristics reflect the distinct cultures and societies they emerged from.

Comparative Table: English Literature vs American Literature

Here is a table comparing English literature and American literature:

Please note that this table is simplified for easy understanding and may not cover all the nuances and intricacies of these two vast literary traditions.