Final answer:
American literature themes often involve characters overcoming adversity, societal norms, and personal struggles with identity and belonging. These works offer insights into American societal values and individual experiences, showing literature as a reflection and critique of society.
Step-by-step explanation:
The excerpts reflect profound themes within American literature, showcasing characters that endure various struggles. In the reference to S. E. Hinton's The Outsiders, we see characters grappling with gang conflicts and the deeper meanings of friendship and family. This coming-of-age story is moving and relatable across generations. Similarly, the passage from Riders of the Purple Sage presents characters overcoming adversity, a key element of the Western genre, often seen as celebration of American independence and individuality.
Alice Walker's note brings forward the power of literature in reconnecting with one's roots and the shared experience of reading as a way to regain 'paradise'. Excerpts from works by Sinclair Lewis and Edith Wharton touch on societal conformity and classism, respectively, while Flannery O'Connor's fiction stands out for its distinctive Southern gothic style, exploring themes of violence and existentialism.
The profound impact of these narratives shows literature as a mirror to society, questioning and often challenging societal norms. They represent a rich landscape of American literary history and thought.