Final answer:
Late 1800s American literature reflected the country's division and expansion through realism and naturalism, highlighting the somberness of postwar America and the effects of western expansion, with authors like Twain and Crane portraying the struggles and realities of the era.
Step-by-step explanation:
The literature of the late 1800s in America reflected the nation's division and expansion through its focus on realism and the portrayal of the complexities of post-Civil War society. Authors of this era, such as Mark Twain and Henry James, turned towards realism as a literary method to create characters and stories that depicted the average person's experience and the cultural changes of the time. For example, Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn not only explores the issues of race and identity but also showcases the realities of life along the Mississippi River during a period of significant social transition.
Western expansion also played a crucial role in shaping the literature of the period. As the United States expanded westward, writers like Stephen Crane and Jack London highlighted the intersection of nature, the human condition, and the law of survival, aligning with naturalism. Their works provided gritty, unflinching depictions of life and the stark realities faced by settlers and indigenous peoples alike.
Additionally, the literature of this time often mirrored the somberness of postwar America, as seen in the detailed characterizations that showed the struggles of ordinary people attempting to find resolution in their conflicts. This somber tone was a direct reflection of the nation's mood as it grappled with the aftermath of the Civil War and looked toward an uncertain future shaped by rapid industrialization, increased immigration, and the clash of cultures.