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Exploring Dominant American Values in Literature

Discover the core American values reflected in literature such as achievement, activity, morality, humanitarianism, efficiency, progress, comfort, equality, and more. Explore how these values intertwine with works like The Painted Drum, The Crucible, and The Scarlet Letter.

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Exploring Dominant American Values in Literature

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  1. Dominant American Values Honors American Lit. 2017

  2. What Are They?? Dominant American Values are concepts/ideas/beliefs seen throughout our culture and our history. Because American literature reflects American culture and American history, these values are reflected in the books we read too. As we talk about the individual values, think about examples that you have experienced in your life. Write these items down on the piece of paper provided. Throughout the year, we will read examples of American literature. How are these values represented in the literature we read??

  3. 1. Achievement and Success Key words: personal achievement, competition, money, fame

  4. 2. Activity and Work Key words: Puritan work ethic, busyness

  5. 3. Morality • good and bad, right and wrong, working hard, leading an orderly life, carrying out one’s purpose in life are still ideals that are valued.

  6. 4. Humanitarianism Key words: helpfulness, kindness, charity

  7. 5. Efficiency and Practicality Key words: expediency, usefulness, innovation

  8. 6. Progress Key words: future, change, progress

  9. 7. Material Comfort Key words: contentment, gratification, comfort

  10. 8. Equality Key words: economic opportunity, achievement

  11. 9. Freedom Key words: individual choice, progress, equality

  12. 10. External Conformity Key words: groups, interdependence

  13. 11. Science Key words: rational, functional, for the good of all

  14. 12. Nationalism and Patriotism Key words: loyalty to country, symbols, history

  15. 13. Democracy Key words: majority rule, representative government, vote

  16. 14. Individuality Key words: self-sufficiency, individualism

  17. 15. Racism and Group Superiority Key words: ethnocentrism, one’s group is the best

  18. 16. Order and Security Key words: laws, rules

  19. Now. . . With a partner, brainstorm at least 3 examples of dominant American values that will work with the three works of literature we read last semester: The Painted Drum, The Crucible, and The Scarlet Letter. Ask yourself the following question: Which dominant American values are represented in ______________________? Be ready to share an idea with the rest of the class.

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