How was the 'list of greatest american novels' compiled?

I'd say 'Gone with the Wind' is one of the great American novels. It vividly depicts the American South during the Civil War and Reconstruction era. It shows the complex relationships between characters and the changing social landscape.

Great American novels? Well, 'Invisible Man' by Ralph Ellison is a must - mention. It's about an African - American man's search for identity in a racist society. 'The Scarlet Letter' by Nathaniel Hawthorne is another classic, dealing with themes of sin, guilt, and Puritan society. And 'Ulysses' by James Joyce (although Joyce was Irish, it has had a huge impact on American literature and is often studied in American literary courses) with its complex stream - of - consciousness style.

One of the novels on the list is 'Invisible Man' by Ralph Ellison. It's a profound exploration of the African - American experience, identity, and invisibility in society. 'Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger is also a significant work. It follows the disillusioned Holden Caulfield and his experiences, reflecting on youth and the search for authenticity. And 'Gone with the Wind' by Margaret Mitchell, which depicts the American South during the Civil War and Reconstruction era.

You can start by checking with well - known literary institutions like the Library of Congress. They often have curated collections and resources related to important American novels. Also, academic libraries usually have comprehensive lists and resources for literary studies that might include such a definitive list.

Definitely. 'The Sound and the Fury' by Faulkner is a complex and important classic. It has a unique narrative structure. 'Main Street' by Sinclair Lewis is also a classic that critiques small - town America. And 'White Fang' by Jack London, which is the counterpart to 'The Call of the Wild' and shows the taming of a wild animal.

Some well - known ones could be 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville. It's a complex and profound exploration of man's relationship with nature and obsession. Another might be 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald, which gives a vivid picture of the Jazz Age and themes of love, wealth, and the American Dream.

Sure. 'Love in the Time of Cholera' by Gabriel García Márquez is a great one. It's a beautiful and complex love story set against the backdrop of a cholera - ridden city.

The greatest American novels are deeply intertwined with American society. 'Catch - 22' by Joseph Heller is a satirical look at the military and bureaucracy during World War II, highlighting the absurdities of war and power. 'A Farewell to Arms' by Ernest Hemingway shows the disillusionment of soldiers during World War I, and also reflects on love and loss in the context of war. They not only tell stories but also expose the values, problems, and changes in American society.

The works like 'Beloved' by Toni Morrison have influenced how the African - American experience, especially the trauma of slavery, is written about. It opened the door for more in - depth exploration of the psychological and cultural aspects of slavery. 'Invisible Man' also had a huge impact on the exploration of identity in American literature. It made other writers more aware of the importance of representing the marginalized voices and their search for self - identity.

Many of the greatest American novels reflect American society through their themes. For example, 'To Kill a Mockingbird' reflects the deep - seated racism in the South during the 1930s. The trial in the book shows how African - Americans were unjustly treated. 'The Great Gatsby' reflects the excess and hollowness of the wealthy in the 1920s Jazz Age. The parties and the pursuit of wealth at any cost in the novel are a mirror of that society.