Century Readings in the American Short Story

'Century Readings in the American Short Story' is a comprehensive and seminal collection of American short fiction curated by Fred Lewis Pattee, a pioneering figure in the academic study of American literature. This anthology traces the evolution of the short story as a distinct literary form in the United States, showcasing the development of narrative techniques, regionalism, and cultural identity. The collection brings together a diverse array of works that highlight the richness of American storytelling, from the early foundations of the genre to its sophisticated maturation in the early twentieth century.Within these pages, readers will encounter foundational pieces that shaped the landscape of American letters. The selection emphasizes not only the artistic merit of individual stories but also their historical significance in reflecting the American experience across various eras. Pattee’s expert curation provides a survey of the varied voices that defined the genre, offering a panoramic view of the stylistic shifts and thematic preoccupations of American authors. This volume serves as an essential resource for students, scholars, and lovers of literature, preserving the legacy of the short story and its vital role in the national literary canon. It remains a definitive reference for understanding the trajectory of short-form fiction in America.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.