Here's why:
* Realism: Cather's works were known for their focus on depicting everyday life and the struggles of ordinary people. She avoided romanticized portrayals and aimed for authenticity in her characters and settings.
* Regionalism: Cather's novels often explored the lives of people in specific regions of the United States, particularly the American West and the Midwest. She captured the unique culture, history, and landscape of these areas, giving a voice to their people and experiences.
Some of her most famous novels that showcase these elements include:
* "O Pioneers!" (1913): Explores the life of Alexandra Bergson, a strong and independent woman who settles the Nebraska prairie.
* "My Ántonia" (1918): Recounts the story of a young Bohemian immigrant girl and her journey to adulthood in Nebraska.
* "Death Comes for the Archbishop" (1927): Depicts the lives of two French priests who bring Catholicism to the Southwest during the late 19th century.
While Cather was a part of the realism movement, she also contributed to other literary trends like modernism, as she often explored themes of identity, loss, and the complexities of human experience.