Ch 6: MTEL English: Contemporary American Literature
About This Chapter
MTEL English: Contemporary American Literature - Chapter Summary
This chapter will enable you to brush up on your memory of contemporary American authors including Countee Cullen, Vladimir Nabokov, and Louise Erdrich by viewing 5-10 minute video lessons. Short multiple-choice quizzes are provided at the end of the lessons so you can test your knowledge. After completing this chapter, you will be able to answer exam questions based on the following:
- Characteristics of the Contemporary period
- Biography and poems of Countee Cullen and Gwendolyn Brooks
- Saul Bellow's novels
- Arthur Miller's plays
- Contemporary African-American writers, including Toni Morrison
- Biography of Vladimir Nabokov and N. Scott Momaday
- Maya Angelou and Rita Dove's biography and poetry
- Poems of Leslie Marmon Silko and Louise Erdrich
- Rudolfo Anaya's books and Amy Tan's novels
One of the greatest things about our lessons and quizzes is that they are quick. You don't need to spend a whole lot of time to jog your memory of the topics you need to know. All lessons are also available as transcripts for you to read over if needed. The worksheets and answers can be printed out for review when you're away from the computer.
MTEL English: Contemporary American Literature Objectives
In all, the MTEL English exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions and 2 open-ended questions. The test is broken into 4 parts. One of those parts includes the Literature and Language section, which is comprised of questions about the authors found in this chapter. It is worth 51% of the whole test and may contain questions that test how well you know the themes of different types of contemporary literature.
1. The Contemporary Period in American Literature
The American Contemporary period (1945 - present) questions the goodness of humanity, explores human consciousness, and upends social norms. Discover the period's divergence from Modernism, the effects of World War II on the American literary landscape, and the pressures of conformity in the post-war consciousness.
2. Countee Cullen: Biography & Poetry
Countee Cullen was a 20th-century poet involved with the Harlem Renaissance. Explore the life of Countee Cullen, his role in the Harlem Renaissance, and his best-known poetry.
3. Gwendolyn Brooks: Biography & Poems
In this lesson, we discover the life and work of one of the United States' most important poets, Gwendolyn Brooks, who was the first African-American woman to win the Pulitzer Prize.
4. Saul Bellow: Biography, Novels & Short Stories
Saul Bellow was a Jewish-American writer who helped change the face of American literature. In this lesson, you will learn about his biography, major literary works, and the recognition he received for his writing.
5. Arthur Miller: Biography and Major Plays
Arthur Miller was one of America's greatest playwrights. Learn about Miller's biography and early years, some of his most famous plays, critical success, political activism, and his life and legacy.
6. Contemporary African American Writers: Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, James Baldwin
African-American contemporary writers have contributed much to the literary landscape and the civil rights movement in America. Learn about the contributions of Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, and James Baldwin in championing the causes of people who have been subjected to prejudice and mistreatment by society.
7. Vladimir Nabokov: Biography, Books & Poems
This lesson will introduce you to Vladimir Nabokov, one of the twentieth century's best-known novelists. You'll also learn a bit about Nabokov's most famous works and the themes they explore.
8. N. Scott Momaday: Biography & Works
In this lesson we explore the life and work of one of the American West's most recognizable voices, the part Native American poet and writer N. Scott Momaday.
9. Who is Maya Angelou? - Biography, Books, Poetry & Accomplishments
Maya Angelou was a renowned figure in poetry, literature, and performing arts. Take a glance at Maya Angelou's biography and learn about her books and other written works, her contributions to poetry, and her many literary accomplishments.
10. Rita Dove: Poems & Biography
Rita Dove took the world by storm with her historical and lyrical poetry, her national presence, and her message concerning the importance of the legacy of poetry. She is widely enjoyed and has earned highest honors and many awards for her contributions to the literary world.
11. Leslie Marmon Silko: Biography, Poems & Books
Leslie Marmon Silko was the first Native American female writer to become critically praised, learning about storytelling from her grandmother and great-grandmother, who were both known as great storytellers among the Laguna Pueblo people. Read about Silko's biography and writing career, explore how she writes about Native American subjects in her poems and books, and check out a list of her popular works.
12. Louise Erdrich: Books, Poems & Biography
Learn about the books, poems, and biography of America's best-known Native-American writer. Although her heritage and ancestry heavily influence her work, readers find that her fiction and poetry speaks to people across all races and ages.
13. Rudolfo Anaya: Books & Biography
Rudolfo Anaya, best known for his book ''Bless Me, Ultima,'' which is read in classrooms across the nation, is one of the leading authors of Chicano literature. Read on for a short summary of his life and of some of his most well-known books!
14. Amy Tan: The Joy Luck Club & Other Novels
Amy Tan's first novel was The Joy Luck Club, which tells the story of Chinese immigrant mothers and their American-born daughters. Learn about the life of Amy Tan, her book The Joy Luck Club and her other novels.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the MTEL English (07): Practice & Study Guide course
- MTEL English: American Literature from 1600-1800
- MTEL English: Dark Romanticism & Transcendentalism
- MTEL English: Realism in American Literature
- MTEL English: Civil War Literature
- MTEL English: Modernism in American Literature
- MTEL English: Old & Middle English Literature
- MTEL English: Renaissance Literature
- MTEL English: 17th & 18th Century English Literature
- MTEL English: Authors & Poets of the Romantic Period
- MTEL English: Victorian Literature
- MTEL English: Contemporary British Literature
- MTEL English: Ancient Greek Literature
- MTEL English: Ancient World Literature
- MTEL English: European Authors & Poets
- MTEL English: Contemporary World Literature
- MTEL English: Characteristics of Literature
- MTEL English: Genres & Types of Fiction
- MTEL English: Elements of Non-Fiction
- MTEL English: Drama as Literature
- MTEL English: Elements of Poetry
- MTEL English: Types of Poetry
- MTEL English: Interpreting Prose
- MTEL English: Literary Devices
- MTEL English: Literary Theory & Criticism
- MTEL English: Language Acquisition
- MTEL English: Principles of Rhetoric
- MTEL English: The Essay Writing Process
- MTEL English: Types of Compositions
- MTEL English: Writing Conventions
- MTEL English: Language & Reading Processes
- MTEL English: Vocabulary & Word Choice
- MTEL English: Motivating Students to Read
- MTEL English: Research-Based Reading Instruction
- MTEL English Flashcards