Create an official list of what is and is not a "Great American Novel"

Create an official list of what writings are to be considered "Great American Novels"
the "Great American Novel" is considered a powerful writing that is representitive of the time. Some argue that it does not nessesarily need to be a novel but could be any sort of writing that embodies the period.
There is no doubt that there would be much debate as to what actually constitutes "the Great American Novel," however, there is a need to define what makes the Great American Novel more than just American Literature.
Personal Suggestions:
The Great Gadsby
works of John Steinbeck such as Mice and Men
Certain works of Hawthorne such as the Birthmark
Tennessee Williams works
And if comics and graphic novels were to be included I would purpose A Contract With God by Will Eisner