A rationale for the reconstruction of the American literary canon

摘要

In this dissertation I will examine the tables of contents of best-selling high school American Literature anthologies, explain the paradigm which controls the selections chosen for these texts, write a rationale for new paradigms, and outline a sample anthology which incorporates them. The existing canon, the accepted and sanctioned list of literary selections found in our American Literature texts and in the syllabi of our American Literature courses, mainly reflects the values of the dominant white male culture while excluding a balanced representation by women and minorities; therefore, we now need a new literary canon that includes works which represent and reflect the values of all Americans. Since I will show the necessity for a new literary canon, I see this dissertation as a tool for change.