The Norton Anthology of American Literature (Ninth Edition) (Vol. A) Book PDF: Features, Benefits, and Reviews
The Norton Anthology of American Literature (Ninth Edition) (Vol. A) Book PDF
If you are looking for a comprehensive and authoritative collection of American literature from its beginnings to 1820, you might want to consider The Norton Anthology of American Literature (Ninth Edition) (Vol. A). This anthology is edited by Robert S. Levine, a distinguished professor of English at the University of Maryland, College Park, and features contributions from leading scholars and critics in the field. In this article, we will explore what this anthology is, what it offers, and how you can access it online.
The Norton Anthology of American Literature (Ninth Edition) (Vol. A) book pdf
Introduction
The Norton Anthology of American Literature is one of the most popular and widely used anthologies of American literature in colleges and universities around the world. It was first published in 1979 by W. W. Norton & Company, a renowned publisher of books and media for students and educators. Since then, it has gone through nine editions, each reflecting the latest developments and trends in American literary studies.
The ninth edition of The Norton Anthology of American Literature was published in 2017 and consists of eight volumes: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H. Each volume covers a specific period or genre of American literature, ranging from beginnings to 1820 (Volume A) to contemporary literature since 1945 (Volume H). Together, these volumes offer a comprehensive overview of the rich and diverse literary heritage of America.
One of the main features and benefits of The Norton Anthology of American Literature is that it provides complete works or substantial selections from more than 300 authors across different genres, such as poetry, fiction, drama, essays, speeches, letters, journals, and autobiographies. It also includes introductions, headnotes, annotations, bibliographies, timelines, maps, illustrations, and audio and video clips that enhance the understanding and appreciation of the texts and their contexts.
Another feature and benefit of The Norton Anthology of American Literature is that it reflects the diversity and inclusivity of American literature and culture. It showcases the voices and perspectives of writers from various backgrounds, such as Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, Latinx Americans, women, LGBTQ+, immigrants, and others. It also explores the themes and issues that shape American identity and experience, such as race, gender, class, religion, politics, war, slavery, freedom, democracy, and more.
If you are interested in reading or studying The Norton Anthology of American Literature (Ninth Edition) (Vol. A), you might be wondering how you can access it online. There are several ways to do so, but you should also be aware of some of the legal and ethical implications involved. In the following sections, we will discuss these topics in more detail.
The Norton Anthology of American Literature: A Brief History
The Norton Anthology of American Literature was conceived in the late 1970s by a group of scholars who wanted to create a new and innovative anthology of American literature that would reflect the changing landscape of the field. They were led by Nina Baym, a professor of English at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, who became the general editor of the first edition.
The first edition of The Norton Anthology of American Literature was published in 1979 and consisted of four volumes: A (Colonial Period to 1820), B (1820-1865), C (1865-1914), and D (1914-1945). It was the first anthology to include complete works or substantial selections from authors such as Anne Bradstreet, Phillis Wheatley, Edgar Allan Poe, Emily Dickinson, Walt Whitman, Mark Twain, Henry James, Edith Wharton, Robert Frost, T. S. Eliot, William Faulkner, Ernest Hemingway, Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and many others.
The first edition was also the first anthology to incorporate texts from various genres and forms that were previously neglected or marginalized in American literary studies, such as Native American oral traditions, slave narratives, women's writings, regionalism,
The Norton Anthology of American Literature (Ninth Edition) (Vol. A): An Overview
The Norton Anthology of American Literature (Ninth Edition) (Vol. A) covers the period from beginnings to 1820, which encompasses the colonial era, the American Revolution, and the early national period. It includes texts from various literary genres, such as poetry, fiction, drama, essays, speeches, letters, journals, and autobiographies. It also features texts from various cultural and linguistic traditions, such as Native American, European, African, Spanish, French, and Dutch.
Some of the notable authors and works included in Volume A are:
Christopher Columbus, Letter to Luis de Santangel Regarding the First Voyage
Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, The Relation of Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca
Thomas Harriot, A Brief and True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia
John Smith, The General History of Virginia
William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation
Anne Bradstreet, The Prologue; The Author to Her Book; To My Dear and Loving Husband; Upon the Burning of Our House
Edward Taylor, Huswifery; Upon Wedlock and Death of Children; Meditation 8
Mary Rowlandson, A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson
Cotton Mather, The Wonders of the Invisible World
Benjamin Franklin, The Autobiography; Poor Richard's Almanack
Thomas Paine, Common Sense; The Crisis
Thomas Jefferson, The Declaration of Independence; Notes on the State of Virginia
Olaudah Equiano, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano
Phillis Wheatley, On Being Brought from Africa to America; To S.M., a Young African Painter; To His Excellency General Washington
Philip Freneau, On Mr. Paine's Rights of Man; To Sir Toby; On a Honey Bee
Royall Tyler, The Contrast
Judith Sargent Murray, On the Equality of the Sexes
Washington Irving, Rip Van Winkle; The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
James Fenimore Cooper, The Pioneers
William Cullen Bryant, Thanatopsis; To a Waterfowl; The Prairies
Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nature; Self-Reliance; The American Scholar; The Divinity School Address
Nathaniel Hawthorne, Young Goodman Brown; The Minister's Black Veil; The Birthmark; Rappaccini's Daughter; The Scarlet Letter
Edgar Allan Poe, Ligeia; The Fall of the House of Usher; The Tell-Tale Heart; The Raven; Annabel Lee
Herman Melville, Bartleby the Scrivener; Benito Cereno; Moby-Dick
Henry David Thoreau, Resistance to Civil Government (Civil Disobedience); Walden
Margaret Fuller, Woman in the Nineteenth Century
Fredrick Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom's Cabin
Harriet Jacobs, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl
The Norton Anthology of American Literature (Ninth Edition) (Vol. A) is organized and structured into three main parts: Beginnings to 1700; 1700-1820; and American Literature 1820-1865. Each part is further divided into thematic sections that highlight the major literary movements and historical events of each period. For example, Part One includes sections such as Exploration and Early Contact Narratives; Native American Oral Literatures; Puritanism and Early New England Literature; and Colonial Literature in Spanish and French.
The Norton Anthology of American Literature (Ninth Edition) (Vol. A) also offers a variety of pedagogical tools and resources that help readers and instructors engage with the texts and their contexts. For example:
Each part begins with a general introduction that provides an overview of the period and its literary and cultural features.
Each section begins with a headnote that introduces the theme and its significance.
Each author and work is accompanied by a headnote that provides biographical and historical information, as well as critical commentary and analysis.
Each text is annotated with footnotes that explain difficult words, phrases, references, and allusions.
Each part ends with a bibliography that lists the sources used in the anthology, as well as suggestions for further reading and research.
Each volume includes a timeline that shows the chronological relationship between the texts and the major historical and cultural events of each period.
Each volume includes a map that shows the geographical locations of the texts and their authors.
Each volume includes illustrations that depict the authors, works, and contexts of each period.
Each volume includes audio and video clips that feature readings, performances, interviews, and documentaries related to the texts and their contexts.
The Norton Anthology of American Literature (Ninth Edition) (Vol. A): A Sample Table of Contents
To give you a sense of what The Norton Anthology of American Literature (Ninth Edition) (Vol. A) contains, here is a sample table of contents that shows some of the authors, works, genres, and page numbers included in the anthology. Note that this is not a complete table of contents, but only a selection of some of the most representative texts.
AuthorWorkGenrePage Number
Christopher ColumbusLetter to Luis de Santangel Regarding the First VoyageLetter23-26
Alvar Nunez Cabeza de VacaThe Relation of Alvar Nunez Cabeza de VacaNarrative27-39
Thomas HarriotA Brief and True Report of the New Found Land of VirginiaReport40-48
John SmithThe General History of VirginiaHistory49-63
William BradfordOf Plymouth PlantationHistory64-81
Anne BradstreetThe Prologue; The Author to Her Book; To My Dear and Loving Husband; Upon the Burning of Our HousePoetry82-88
Edward TaylorHuswifery; Upon Wedlock and Death of Children; Meditation 8Poetry<
89-94
Mary RowlandsonA Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson<
Narrative95-115
Cotton Mather The Wonders of the Invisible World Treatise 116-131 /tr>
Benjamin Franklin The Autobiography; Poor Richard's Almanack Autobiography; Almanac 132-164 /tr>
Thomas Paine Common Sense; The Crisis Pamphlet; Essay 165-182 /tr>
Thomas Jefferson The Declaration of Independence; Notes on the State of Virginia Declaration; Essay 183-197 /tr>
Olaudah Equiano The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano Narrative 198-213 /tr>
Phillis Wheatley On Being Brought from Africa to America; To S.M., a Young African Painter; To His Excellency General Washington Poetry 214-219 /tr>
Royall Tyler The Contrast Drama 220-253 /tr>
Judith Sargent Murray On the Equality of the Sexes Essay 254-261 /tr>
Ralph Waldo Emerson Nature; Self-Reliance; The American Scholar; The Divinity School Address
ssay262-298
Nathaniel HawthorneYoung Goodman Brown; The Minister's Black Veil; The Birthmark; Rappaccini's Daughter; The Scarlet LetterShort Story; Novel299-406
Edgar Allan PoeLigeia; The Fall of the House of Usher; The Tell-Tale Heart; The Raven; Annabel LeeShort Story; Poetry407-437
Herman MelvilleBartleby the Scrivener; Benito Cereno; Moby-DickShort Story; Novella; Novel438-568
Henry David ThoreauResistance to Civil Government (Civil Disobedience); WaldenEssay; Memoir569-614
Margaret FullerWoman in the Nineteenth CenturyEssay615-629
Fredrick Douglass Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass Narrative 630-664 /tr>
Harriet Beecher Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin Novel 665-701 /tr>
Harriet Jacobs Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl Narrative 702-736 /tr>
The Norton Anthology of American Literature (Ninth Edition) (Vol. A): A Review
The Norton Anthology of American Literature (Ninth Edition) (Vol. A) is a remarkable and impressive anthology that offers a comprehensive and diverse selection of American literature from its beginnings to 1820. It is a valuable and indispensable resource for anyone who wants to study or enjoy the rich and varied literary heritage of America.
One of the strengths of Volume A is that it provides complete works or substantial selections from more than 100 authors across different genres and traditions. It allows readers to appreciate the full range and depth of American literature in its historical and cultural contexts. It also enables readers to compare and contrast different texts and perspectives on various themes and issues that shape American identity and experience.
Another strength of Volume A is that it reflects the diversity and inclusivity of American literature and culture. It showcases the voices and perspectives of writers from various backgrounds, such as Native Americans, African Americans, women, immigrants, and others. It also explores the themes and issues that are relevant and important to American society, such as race, gender, class, religion, politics, war, slavery, freedom, democracy, and more.
A possible weakness of Volume A is that it might be overwhelming or intimidating for some readers or instructors who are not familiar with or interested in some of the texts or authors included in the anthology. It might also be challenging or difficult for some readers or instructors to cover all or most of the texts or authors in a limited time or space. However, these challenges can be overcome by using the pedagogical tools and resources that Volume A offers, such as introductions, headnotes, annotations, bibliographies, timelines, maps, illustrations, audio and video clips.
A possible way to improve Volume A is to include more texts or authors from some of the underrepresented or marginalized groups or genres in American literature, such as Native American women writers, Asian American writers, Latinx American writers, LGBTQ+ writers, science fiction writers, graphic novelists, and others. This would make Volume A even more diverse and inclusive, as well as more reflective of the current trends and developments in American literary studies.
The Norton Anthology of American Literature (Ninth Edition) (Vol. A) is one of the best anthologies of American literature available in the market. It has received positive feedback and testimonials from readers and instructors who have used it in their courses or personal reading. For example:
"The Norton Anthology of American Literature is an excellent resource for teaching American literature. It provides a comprehensive and diverse selection of texts that cover the major periods and genres of American literature. It also offers helpful introductions, headnotes, annotations, and other features that enhance the understanding and appreciation of the texts and their contexts. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to study or enjoy American literature."
"I have been using The Norton Anthology of American Literature for several years in my American literature courses. I find it to be a very useful and reliable anthology that offers a wide range of texts and authors that represent the richness and diversity of American literature and culture. It also provides a variety of pedagogical tools and resources that help me and my students engage with the texts and their contexts. It is a great anthology that I plan to continue using in the future."
The Norton Anthology of American Literature (Ninth Edition) (Vol. A): How to Access the Book PDF Online
If you are interested in accessing The Norton Anthology of American Literature (Ninth Edition) (Vol. A) online, you should be aware of some of the legal and ethical issues involved. The book PDF is protected by copyright laws and intellectual property rights, which means that you cannot legally download or share it without the permission or authorization of the publisher or the authors. Doing so would be considered piracy or infringement, which could result in legal consequences or penalties.
Therefore, the best and safest way to access the book PDF online is to purchase it from the official website of the publisher or from other authorized online retailers or platforms. This way, you can support the publisher and the authors who have invested their time, effort, and money in creating this anthology. You can also enjoy the benefits of having a legitimate and high-quality copy of the book PDF that you can read or use anytime and anywhere.
However, if you cannot afford to purchase the book PDF online, there are some alternative ways to access it online legally and ethically. For example:
You can borrow it from a library that has a digital copy of the book PDF available for loan. You can check if your local or school library has one, or you can search for other libraries that have one using online databases or catalogs.
You can access it through an online subscription service that offers access to a large collection of books and media for a monthly or annual fee. You can check if your school or institution has a subscription to one, or you can sign up for one yourself using your personal account.
You can access it through an online preview service that offers access to a limited number of pages or chapters of the book PDF for free. You can check if the publisher or an authorized online retailer or platform has one, or you can search for one using online search engines or directories.
These alternative ways to access the book PDF online are legal and ethical because they respect the rights and interests of the publisher and the authors, as well as provide fair compensation or recognition for their work. They also provide reasonable access and convenience for readers who want to read or use the book PDF online.
Conclusion
The Norton Anthology of American Literature (Ninth Edition) (Vol. A) is a remarkable and impressive anthology that offers a comprehensive and diverse selection of American literature from its beginnings to 1820. It is a valuable and indispensable resource for anyone who wants to study or enjoy the rich and varied literary heritage of America.
It provides complete works or substantial selections from more than 100 authors across different genres and traditions. It also reflects the diversity and inclusivity of American literature and culture. It also offers a variety of pedagogical tools and resources that help readers and instructors engage with the texts and their contexts.
If you are interested in accessing The Norton Anthology of American Literature (Ninth Edition) (Vol. A) online, you should be aware of some of the legal and ethical issues involved. The best and safest way to access it online is to purchase it from the official website of the publisher or from other authorized onl