In this unit, you will explore great works of American literature and consider how writers reflect the time period in which they write. You will write two literary analysis papers and also work in groups to research and develop anthologies of excellent American stories.

Close reading of the texts in this unit will help you answer these Guiding Questions:

• If you were to write a short story about this decade, what issues might you focus on?
• What defines a short story? Just length?
• To what extent do these stories reflect the era or decade in which they were written?
• To what extent are the themes they address universal?