Novels:
* The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1850): A powerful exploration of sin, guilt, and societal hypocrisy in Puritan New England.
* Moby Dick by Herman Melville (1851): A philosophical epic about a man's obsession with a white whale, with themes of revenge, fate, and the nature of good and evil.
* The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (1884): A coming-of-age story about a young boy's journey down the Mississippi River, exploring themes of race, freedom, and morality.
* The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925): A poignant portrayal of the American Dream's disillusionment and the destructive power of wealth and obsession.
* The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck (1939): A powerful social commentary on the Great Depression and the plight of Dust Bowl migrants, exploring themes of poverty, resilience, and the human spirit.
* To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960): A coming-of-age story set in the American South during the 1930s, exploring themes of racial injustice, prejudice, and the importance of empathy.
* One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez (1967): While not strictly American, this Colombian masterpiece has had a profound impact on American literature and is often considered part of the American literary canon due to its universality and themes of family, history, and magic realism.
Short Stories:
* The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe (1839): A classic gothic tale of psychological horror and decay.
* The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle (1887-1893): A collection of detective stories featuring the iconic detective Sherlock Holmes.
* The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry (1905): A heartwarming story about love and sacrifice.
* The Lottery by Shirley Jackson (1948): A chilling and thought-provoking story about the dangers of blind tradition.
* The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe (1843): A suspenseful story about a murderer driven to confess his crime by his guilt.
Poetry:
* Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman (1855): A revolutionary collection of poems celebrating democracy, individuality, and the beauty of the natural world.
* Song of Myself by Walt Whitman: A long, meditative poem from his collection, *Leaves of Grass*, which explores themes of self-discovery and the interconnectedness of all life.
* The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe (1845): A haunting and iconic poem about loss, grief, and the human condition.
* I Hear America Singing by Walt Whitman: A short, optimistic poem celebrating the diverse voices and contributions of Americans.
* Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost (1923): A reflective poem about the beauty of nature and the passage of time.
Plays:
* A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams (1947): A powerful and tragic play about love, loss, and the fragility of human identity.
* Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller (1949): A tragic play exploring themes of the American Dream, disillusionment, and the pressures of societal expectations.
* The Crucible by Arthur Miller (1953): An allegorical play about the Salem witch trials, exploring themes of fear, paranoia, and the dangers of mass hysteria.
This is just a small selection of the many great works of American literature. There are many other important writers and books that deserve recognition, such as Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, Ralph Ellison, and many more. Exploring different genres and time periods will help you discover your own favorite classics.