Question

Think about the selections you’ve read by European writers. Do these writers seem to have concerns that are different from those of writers from the Americas? In a fully developed paragraph, analyze these concerns and give examples of why you think concerns are the same or different.

Answer 1

European writers, in the selections I have read, do seem to have concerns that are different from those of writers from the Americas. One noticeable difference is the preoccupation with history and the past in European literature. European writers often explore themes of tradition, heritage, and the weight of history on the present. For example, in Gabriel Garcia Marquez's "One Hundred Years of Solitude," the narrative delves into the complex genealogy of the Buendía family, tracing their history back several generations. In contrast, many American writers tend to address more immediate concerns such as social inequality, identity, and the exploration of vast landscapes. An example of this is in Toni Morrison's "Beloved," where the protagonist grapples with the legacy of slavery and its impact on individual freedom. While both European and American writers may tackle universal themes such as love, death, and human nature, the differing concerns in their literature reflect the unique historical, cultural, and sociopolitical contexts from which they emerge.