Lesson Plans for American Nobel Prize for Literature Laureates

Ever been to Barnes and Noble and observed the mural of famous authors over the coffee shop? Who are these literary figures? Many of them are winners of the Nobel Prize for Literature. Use this list to plan literature lessons for your American history or literature classes. This provides great learning opportunities for teachers to use in the classroom. If your students aren't already reading books by these American Nobel laureate authors, you might consider adding them to the curriculum.

Sinclair Lewis: Born in the heart of Minnesota, Sinclair Lewis speculated on the unique quality of life in rural and small town America. Winner of the 1930 Nobel Prize for Literature, one of his better known works is Elmer Gantry

Eugene O'Neill: New York City native Eugene O'Neill was the quintessential disenchanted socialist playwright. Winner of the 1936 Nobel Prize for Literature, Eugene O'Neill's best known works are The Iceman Cometh and Mourning Becomes Electra. On a side note, Eugene O'Neill was cunningly portrayed by Jack Nicholson in the movie Reds, which would make an excellent film for high school American history or literature classes.

T.S. Eliot: American T.S. Eliot is best known for his critical analysis of other writers and poets. Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats is an excellent book for high school students. T.S. Eliot won the 1948 Nobel Prize for Literature.

William Faulkner: Born in Mississippi, William Faulkner writes about life in the deep south of the United States. Winner of the 1949 Nobel Prize for Literature, Faulkner's best known works are The Sound and the Fury, As I Lay Dying and Absalom! Absalom!

Ernest Hemingway: One of the best known faces in American Literature, Hemingway, winner of the 1958 Nobel Prize for Literature is often popular with male readers, with his gritty stories about powerful male figures. A native of Illinois, Hemingway's best known works areA Farewell to Arms (about his disenchantment with war) and For Whom the Bell Tolls(based upon his experiences as a reporter during the Spanish Civil War).

John Steinbeck: No article about literature is complete without at least a nodding reference to John Steinbeck. John Steinbeck's poignantly narrated tales of life in different parts of the United States. Steinbeck won the 1962 Nobel Prize for Literature. Steinbeck's best books for high school use include Travels With Charley, The Grapes of Wrath, In Dubious Battle, and The Moon is Down.

Isaac Bashevis Singer: Polish-born Jewish American and winner of the 1978 Nobel Prize for Literature, Isaac Bashevis-Singer was a leader in Yiddish literature. I recommend that students read The Golem, The Family Moskat or The Friend of Kafka and Other Stories.

Happy Reading!