can canon should include more than “15 dead white guys and Emily Dickinson” (Gordon). Although traditionalists question the worthiness of the new canon authors, the professors chose the authors because of their works, not because of their appeal to minorities. By deeming the prose or poetry worthy of inclusion in the canon, the team “tells readers, in effect: This is a classic” (Gordon). To classify a work as one of great literary importance, we must first examine the elements required for a novel of literary, even historical, significance. The criteria for all American literature should include the three following items. Chosen as the most important by the researcher, these criteria do not necessarily reflect the views of all critics regarding order of importance. However, any author’s work considered for inclusion in the American literature canon must fulfill these three extremely important criteria. The need for a timeless theme in a canon work reflects the rapid change occurring in American society. The survival of the book as an important work relies heavily on the theme’s importance and relevance independent of America’s changing culture. If society changes, the work’s theme should still apply elsewhere, even if the original object of the theme no longer has a place in our society. The purpose of a novel remains the same: to inform the reader, and enlighten him about an important part of life. The societal impact of the novel remains a direct reflection of the importance of the work at the time. It measures the success of the author in conveying his information and theme to the reader. At the least, the author’s work should affect the way members of a society think after reading the book. The quality of the thought in the book reflects the originality of the subject matter. With original subject matter comes the creative thought accompanying the new material. Creative new ideas...
