The number of people immigrating to the United States swelled from about 3.5 million in the 1890s to over 9 million in the first part of the 1900s. Immigration from Northern and Western Europe tapered off during this time, and by 1910, 70 percent of immigrants entering the United States were from Eastern and Southern Europe. After 1914, immigration declined because of the two world wars, which disrupted government processes, and because of immigration restrictions imposed in the 1920s.

The children born to immigrants were unique in many ways--especially those who came from non-European cultures with vastly different customs and languages. These first-generation Americans often experienced more conflict and tension related to identity than did their parents. For instance, while they spoke their parents' native language at home, they could also speak English fluently; as a result, they often served as interpreters when their parents interacted with other Americans. They might feel pressure from peers to act "more American" while also feeling pressure from their families to follow the customs and expectations of the home country's culture.

First-generation writers from Asian countries did much to expand the range and diversity of American literature. The rich and unique cultures of China, Japan, and other Far Eastern countries injected new themes, customs, and mythologies that inspired readers and writers alike. Use the slides below to consider what first-generation writers brought to America's literary tradition.

Perspective The literature written by first-generation American writers offered a new way of looking at life in the United States. They wrote about the draw as well as the difficulty of assimilation (of becoming more "American" in their thoughts and behavior). Other common themes related to redefining and understanding their own (often blended) ethnic identities. Traditions Most writers, regardless of their ethnicity, include details about their own customs and traditions in their work. In the storytelling, they reveal how people raised in their culture are expected to interact, think, eat, and behave in public and in private. If those details correspond to mainstream American culture, readers may not even notice them or think of them as "customs." When a first-generation writer describes his or her own customs and traditions, though, these details may seem exotic or unusual to readers who are not members of that same culture. Assimilation As first-generation Americans interacted with others outside the home, they began to absorb American culture in ways that modified aspects of their identities. Issues related to assimilation appear as topics and themes in literature written by various ethnic groups. While many immigrant parents tried to stay firmly rooted in the traditions and cultures of their homelands, their children tended to be much more interested in conforming to American culture in any way they could. This difference in thinking between parents and children created conflict about which aspects of family life should change and which should stay the same.