Common Themes in American LiteratureCommon Themes in American LiteratureMany authors contributed to American literature between 1865 and 1914. Although these authors came from all over the country and lived different lifestyles, they still managed to include similar themes in their works. A theme is considered the main idea of ​​the work or the meaning of the story. During this period of American literature, three themes continued to emerge: the concept of true beauty, the protection of nature, and perception versus reality. The first theme, the concept of true beauty, is evident in "The White Heron" and "The Real Thing." ". "The White Heron" features a little girl torn between material objects (money) or saving a heron. It is not until she climbs the heron's tree and sees his perspective on the world, that she decides it's not worth giving up the bird's hiding place. In "The Real Thing", a photographer begins using a beautiful, almost perfect couple to do his photo shoots. comparisons with his other female model he realizes that...