How well do you know Famous American Authors and Their Literary Works? Check Quiz Questions

Dive into the world of American literature with our engaging quiz! Discover how well you know the legendary authors and their groundbreaking works that have shaped global culture. From classic novels to impactful poetry, test your understanding of the literary giants and the enduring stories that define the American experience.

Jul 31, 2025, 08:23 EDT
Ernest Hemingway was one the famous American authors, who was also a Nobel laureate.
Ernest Hemingway was one the famous American authors, who was also a Nobel laureate.

Do you know that Mark Twain, the author of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, is often called "the father of American literature"? His unique voice and regional dialect revolutionized storytelling in the United States, departing from European literary traditions. His works continue to be studied globally, offering insights into American society and culture. We've created a fun and educational quiz to test your knowledge of famous American authors and their remarkable literary achievements. Can you answer all the questions? American literary figures and their works are typical topics in quizzes and exams, especially those focused on literature, history, or cultural studies.

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Quiz: How Well Do You Know Famous American Authors and Their Literary Works?

Attempt these 10 questions on Famous American Authors and find out how many you get right?

Question 1: Who wrote the classic novel The Great Gatsby, a critique of the American Dream during the Jazz Age?

a) Ernest Hemingway

b) F. Scott Fitzgerald

c) William Faulkner

d) John Steinbeck

Correct Answer: b) F. Scott Fitzgerald

Explanation: F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby (1925) is a quintessential novel of the Jazz Age, exploring themes of wealth, illusion, and the decay of the American Dream.

Question 2: Which author famously explored themes of racial injustice and moral growth in the American South through her novel To Kill a Mockingbird?

a) Flannery O'Connor

b) Eudora Welty

c) Harper Lee

d) Zora Neale Hurston

Correct Answer: c) Harper Lee

Explanation: Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird (1960) won the Pulitzer Prize and is celebrated for its powerful narrative about childhood innocence confronted by systemic racism.

Question 3: Often considered a pioneer of the psychological novel, who wrote The Scarlet Letter?

a) Herman Melville

b) Edgar Allan Poe

c) Nathaniel Hawthorne

d) Washington Irving

Correct Answer: c) Nathaniel Hawthorne

Explanation: Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter (1850) is a seminal work of American Romanticism, delving into themes of sin, guilt, and puritanical society.

Question 4: Which Nobel Prize-winning author is known for his minimalist prose and works like The Old Man and the Sea and A Farewell to Arms?

a) John Steinbeck

b) Ernest Hemingway

c) William Faulkner

d) Saul Bellow

Correct Answer: b) Ernest Hemingway

Explanation: Ernest Hemingway (Nobel Prize 1954) was a master of concise prose, and his works often focused on themes of war, nature, and heroism.

Question 5: Who is the author of the dystopian novel Fahrenheit 451, where books are outlawed and burned?

a) George Orwell

b) Aldous Huxley

c) Ray Bradbury

d) Kurt Vonnegut

Correct Answer: c) Ray Bradbury

Explanation: Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 (1953) is a powerful commentary on censorship, mass media, and the destruction of knowledge.

Question 6: Which African American author won a Nobel Prize in Literature for her novels that give life to an essential aspect of American reality, including Beloved?

a) Alice Walker

b) Maya Angelou

c) Toni Morrison

d) Zora Neale Hurston

Correct Answer: c) Toni Morrison

Explanation: Toni Morrison (Nobel Prize 1993) is celebrated for her profound exploration of the African American experience in works like Beloved (1987).

Question 7: Known for his gritty realism and portrayal of the Dust Bowl era, who wrote The Grapes of Wrath?

a) Sinclair Lewis

b) Jack London

c) Upton Sinclair

d) John Steinbeck

Correct Answer: d) John Steinbeck

Explanation: John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath (1939) is an epic novel depicting the struggles of migrant workers during the Great Depression.

Question 8: Who authored Moby-Dick, the complex tale of Captain Ahab's obsessive pursuit of a white whale?

a) Edgar Allan Poe

b) Herman Melville

c) Walt Whitman

d) Ralph Waldo Emerson

Correct Answer: b) Herman Melville

Explanation: Herman Melville's Moby-Dick (1851) is considered a masterpiece of American literature, exploring themes of obsession, nature, and good versus evil.

Question 9: Which reclusive poet is known for her unique, often unconventional, style and posthumously published works like "Because I could not stop for Death"?

a) Anne Bradstreet

b) Phyllis Wheatley

c) Emily Dickinson

d) Sylvia Plath

Correct Answer: c) Emily Dickinson

Explanation: Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) wrote nearly 1,800 poems, many of which were published after her death, renowned for their innovative form and deep insights.

Question 10: Who is the Southern Gothic author known for works like The Sound and the Fury and Absalom, Absalom!?

a) Flannery O'Connor

b) Eudora Welty

c) William Faulkner

d) Carson McCullers

Correct Answer: c) William Faulkner

Explanation: William Faulkner (Nobel Prize 1949) is a towering figure in American literature, celebrated for his complex narratives and deep psychological exploration of the American South.

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Alisha Louis
Alisha Louis

Content Writer

    Alisha Louis is a US Content Specialist with a Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication (BJMC) graduate degree. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she specializes in covering trending news and educational developments across the United States. Her work combines journalistic precision with engaging narratives, making complex topics accessible and relevant for a diverse audience. Dedicated to delivering timely and trustworthy content, Alisha brings a fresh, insightful perspective to every piece she writes.

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