Technology's Impact on International Community in American Literature

Abstract

American literature has always been a mirror to societal relationships, highlighting the impact of different issues on the international community, including the new advancement of Technology. Tracing this representation of society in American literature, this study aimed to assess the representation of Technology and its impact on the international community by exploring key literary texts from each technological evolution. The study employed a thematic analysis approach on 12 seminal literary works selected through purposive sampling with 3 texts from each era from the 1900s to the current digital age. The study findings highlighted the recurring themes from each period representing the impact of Technology on the international society. The most recurring themes included cultural exchange, communication advancement, and social effects on the flow of information. The early literary texts focused on isolation and prejudice, whereas the industrialization-era texts brought mobility and labour exploitation issues in industries. Further, the advancement of mass media influence has brought issues like censorship and information control. In contrast, the modern digital age literature was focused on the virtual worlds, connectivity benefits and drawbacks, highlighting the re-emergence of issues like isolation with rapid cultural exchange and identity crisis. In essence, by analyzing seminal American literary texts, the study has covered the role of Technology from the historical period to the current era, emphasizing international communication. Further, research can focus on the intersection of society, Technology and literature with recent developments. Lastly, the study suggests that policymakers should emphasize the pros and cons of new technological innovations and ensure inclusion, empathy and the well-being of the international community by establishing dynamic and effective cultural exchange programs.