This page is dedicated to some final thoughts on the class. I would like to thank Professor Bass for all that he has given to the class and for leading us into the seeming abyss of American Literary Traditions. Like many of the people in the class, I had read some of the literature prior to taking this course. However, my exposure to these works was limited by the amount of time that was spent covering each. (We did Moby Dick in two weeks as opposed to the five we spent in this class.) This course has given me a new outlook on American Literature, one which I have been able to apply to other books I have read.

Major themes in this course helped to hold the subject matter together. On first glance, one may find it difficult to see a connection between Pudd'nhead Wilson and Ceremony, or between any traditional novel and MAUS. However, these connections became apparent and important elements of the class, connections that we would later be able to make on our own.

These connections, though not earth shattering, were important in our understanding of our own culture as Americans, as well as the methods American authors use to express themselves. Understanding this has allowed the members of this class to take a different view of not only American literature, but other aspects of our lives as well, such as television or music. We discussed several times the connection between Pudd'nhead Wilson and Donna Martin (of Beverly HIlls 90210 fame) as moral centers of their respective environments. To be able to understand and see a link between Aaron Spelling's modern soap operas and a book that was written 140 years ago is a great thing. We can now see that all American literature in interconnected, though written in and for different media, at different times in our history and about different elements of our society. There is still something which makes these pieces American Literature as opposed to any other kind of writing.

The distinctly American flavor of MAUS is a wonderful example of this. Comic books are an American art form, and though I had never read one until MAUS, I knew quite a bit about the concept behind them. The comic gives the reader an interface between the story and the reader's imagination of the action associated with that story. The dialogue boxes are short and the pictures can be anywhere from simple to extremely complex, depending on how much of the interpretation the author wants to leave up to the reader.

American Literature covers a broad spectrum of traditions. These traditions are both written and oral, they are poetic, journalistic, romantic; there are very few rules when it comes to American literature. Yet American literature is distinct from other types of literature. This can be seen in the styles, the subjects, the characters and the media that our authors choose. With this diversity of literary styles over the course of only 220 years, American literature is now able to make an incredible impact on the world, as well as affect and touch the lives of millions of Americans by telling their story, or one like it.

Thank you Professor Bass, I am a better person for having taken your class. I have gained an understanding of American literature that I do not believe I would ever have gained without your guidance. You are an excellent teacher, thank you.