Quest for identity in american literature

Abstract

Apparently, the American literature seems to be outgoing, materialistic and optimistic. But, in fact, it is profound, based on their eternal quest for their identity, beginning with Mark Twain, William Faulkner, Henry James and finishing with Tennessee Williams and Arthur Miller. The American literature seems fascinated with the outcast, the person who defies tradition in order to arrive at some knowledge, some personal integrity. The paper has in view the identification of the American authors interested in this recurrent issue and a contrastive analysis of their works, pointing out the peculiarities of each one.