Reevaluating the Canon of the Great American Novel in the Context of Global Migration and Cultural Displacement

Abstract

The article refers to the rethinking of the Great American Novel (GAN) in the context of global migration and cultural diversity. Traditionally, the GAN has been defined as texts that describe a white male vision of American identity. However, the U.S has been diversified in its cultural context because of the demographic changes induced by immigration, particularly the Latin American, Asian, and African immigrants. This essay claims that the conventional GAN canon should be changed to incorporate the voices of minority citizens and immigrants, and provide a more representative view of American society. In this paper, classic GAN works, such as Moby-Dick and The Great Gatsby, will be compared and contrasted with more diverse ones, such as The Namesake and The Underground Railroad, to discuss the changes in themes and narratives that can be observed as manifestations of the complexity of American identity during the modern period. The re-evaluation of the GAN poses vital implications for the study of literature and the education industry, challenging the more inclusive and representative canon, which would be more reflective of the diverse experiences that make up the nation. The paper also addresses how the changes can create an impact on teaching American literature and influence the perception of national identity of future generations. Lastly, the paper gives recommendations on future studies, such as the intersectionality of race, gender, and migration, and how digital media can be used to broaden the youthful voices in literature.