What Makes a Novel a Great American Novel?

Over the course of the semester, the fundamental question of this class has been: what factors determine a “Great American Novel”. Whether a novel is great or not is subjective, but I believe there are a few decisive features that make a book worthy of this prestigious title. A truly great American novel must demonstrate a uniquely American experience or idea, and apply it to relatable characters. Just because a novel is set in the United States does not necessarily mean it is an American novel in the sense of this class. The American experience is necessary for a great American novel because it provides the significance and meaning. It is either a criticism or glorification of something exclusively American. The author’s goal is to make a commentary on a certain piece of US culture or history through the medium of a fascinating story. The story of a great American novel must be compelling and relatable to the American audience. If the story is not compelling or the audience cannot relate to it, the meaning is lost. While the story may seem like the most important aspect of any novel, in this case the deeper meaning behind the story is more important. If a novel contains an interesting story that is relatable and makes a meaningful and reasonable commentary on American society, it is in my opinion a “Great American Novel”.