1.1 Realism

Realism emerged in American literature after the Civil War, reflecting societal changes and rejecting romantic idealization. It sought to portray life accurately, focusing on ordinary people and everyday situations while addressing contemporary social issues.

Key characteristics included objective observation, unidealized characters, and social criticism. Major authors like Mark Twain and Henry James explored themes of class, morality, and human psychology, using techniques such as detailed descriptions and vernacular dialogue to create authenticity.

Origins of realism

• Emerged as a literary movement in American literature during the late 19th century, reflecting societal changes after the Civil War
• Sought to portray life accurately and objectively, rejecting the idealized representations of earlier romantic works
• Drew inspiration from European realist authors while developing a distinctly American style

Post-Civil War context

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• Rapid industrialization and urbanization transformed American society, creating new social and economic challenges
• Reconstruction period highlighted racial tensions and political complexities
• Technological advancements like the telegraph and railroad expanded communication and travel

Reaction to romanticism

• Rejected romantic notions of idealized heroes and melodramatic plots
• Focused on ordinary people and everyday situations instead of exotic settings or supernatural elements
• Emphasized realistic dialogue and detailed descriptions of characters' environments

European influences

• French authors like Gustave Flaubert and Émile Zola pioneered realist techniques in Europe
• Russian realists such as Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoevsky explored psychological depth in their characters
• British writers like Charles Dickens and George Eliot addressed social issues through realistic narratives

Key characteristics

• Realism in American literature aimed to depict life as it truly was, without romanticization or idealization
• Focused on contemporary issues and social conditions, often critiquing societal norms and institutions
• Employed techniques to create a sense of authenticity and immediacy in storytelling

Objective observation

• Authors strived for impartial, detached narration to present unbiased accounts of events and characters
• Detailed descriptions of settings and characters based on careful observation of real-life counterparts
• Use of scientific method-inspired approaches to analyze and present human behavior and social phenomena

Everyday subject matter

• Focused on ordinary people and their daily lives, often from middle or lower social classes
• Explored mundane activities and common experiences (grocery shopping, family dinners)
• Addressed contemporary social issues like poverty, industrialization, and class inequality

Unidealized characters

• Portrayed characters with complex personalities, flaws, and contradictions
• Avoided stereotypical hero/villain dichotomies in favor of morally ambiguous figures
• Explored characters' psychological motivations and inner conflicts

Social criticism

• Exposed societal problems and injustices through realistic portrayals of characters and situations
• Critiqued institutions like government, religion, and social hierarchies
• Addressed issues of race, class, and gender inequality in American society

Major realist authors

• Realist writers significantly shaped American literature in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
• Their works often addressed social issues and explored the complexities of human nature
• Many realist authors experimented with different narrative techniques and styles

Mark Twain

• Born Samuel Clemens, known for his satirical and humorous approach to realism
• Pioneered the use of vernacular dialogue in American literature
• Major works include "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer"
• Explored themes of racism, social hypocrisy, and the loss of innocence in American society

William Dean Howells

• Often called the "Dean of American Letters" for his influence on American realism
• Served as editor of The Atlantic Monthly, promoting realist writers and principles
• Wrote novels like "The Rise of Silas Lapham" and "A Modern Instance"
• Focused on middle-class characters and explored themes of social mobility and moral dilemmas

Henry James

• Developed a sophisticated, psychologically complex form of realism
• Known for his intricate prose style and exploration of characters' inner lives
• Major works include "The Portrait of a Lady" and "The Turn of the Screw"
• Often depicted the clash between American and European cultures in his novels

Themes in realism

• Realist authors explored a wide range of themes reflecting the complexities of American society
• Many works addressed social and political issues of the time, offering critiques of existing systems
• Psychological exploration of characters became increasingly important in realist literature

Class and social issues

• Examined the impact of industrialization and urbanization on different social classes
• Explored themes of social mobility and the American Dream
• Critiqued wealth inequality and the exploitation of workers in capitalist society
• Addressed issues of immigration and assimilation in American culture

Moral dilemmas

• Presented characters facing complex ethical choices in realistic situations
• Explored the consequences of moral decisions on individuals and their communities
• Questioned traditional moral values and social norms
• Examined the conflict between personal desires and societal expectations

Human psychology

• Delved into characters' inner thoughts, motivations, and emotional struggles
• Explored the impact of past experiences and traumas on characters' behavior
• Addressed themes of self-discovery and identity formation
• Examined the influence of social pressures on individual psychology

Realist techniques

• Realist authors developed specific literary techniques to create a sense of authenticity and immediacy
• These techniques aimed to immerse readers in the fictional world and make it feel true to life
• Many of these methods continue to influence contemporary literature

Detailed descriptions

• Used vivid, precise language to create a clear mental image of settings and characters
• Incorporated sensory details to bring scenes to life (sounds of city streets, smells of cooking)
• Focused on specific, concrete objects rather than abstract concepts or generalizations
• Employed metaphors and similes drawn from everyday life to enhance descriptions

Vernacular dialogue

• Reproduced regional dialects and colloquial speech patterns in character dialogue
• Used slang and idiomatic expressions to reflect characters' social backgrounds
• Avoided artificially elevated or poetic language in favor of realistic conversation
• Employed dialect spelling and grammar to capture authentic speech (Mark Twain's use of Southern dialects)

Multiple perspectives

• Presented events from different characters' viewpoints to provide a more comprehensive understanding
• Used techniques like free indirect discourse to blend narrator and character perspectives
• Explored unreliable narrators to highlight the subjective nature of perception
• Employed epistolary elements (letters, diaries) to present multiple voices within a narrative

Subgenres of realism

• As realism developed, various subgenres emerged, each with its own focus and techniques
• These subgenres often overlapped and influenced one another
• Many authors worked across multiple subgenres throughout their careers

Local color writing

• Focused on specific geographic regions and their unique cultures and dialects
• Emphasized the distinctive characteristics of particular communities (New England villages, Southern plantations)
• Often romanticized rural or small-town life while still aiming for realistic portrayals
• Notable authors include Sarah Orne Jewett and Kate Chopin

Psychological realism

• Prioritized the exploration of characters' inner thoughts, feelings, and motivations
• Used techniques like stream of consciousness to represent characters' mental processes
• Examined the impact of past experiences and unconscious desires on behavior
• Henry James and Edith Wharton were key practitioners of psychological realism

Naturalism vs realism

• Naturalism emerged as an offshoot of realism, emphasizing deterministic views of human behavior
• Focused on the impact of heredity and environment on characters' lives
• Often depicted characters struggling against overwhelming social and natural forces
• Key naturalist authors include Stephen Crane and Theodore Dreiser

Impact on American literature

• Realism profoundly shaped the development of American literature in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
• Its influence extended beyond its immediate period, affecting subsequent literary movements
• Many realist techniques and themes continue to be relevant in contemporary fiction

Shift in literary focus

• Moved American literature away from romantic idealism towards more grounded, socially engaged writing
• Expanded the range of subjects and characters considered worthy of literary treatment
• Encouraged a more critical examination of American society and its institutions
• Paved the way for more experimental and diverse forms of storytelling

Influence on modernism

• Realism's focus on psychological complexity and social critique laid groundwork for modernist literature
• Techniques like multiple perspectives and stream of consciousness evolved from realist innovations
• Modernist authors often reacted against realism while building on its foundations
• Writers like Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald blended realist and modernist elements

Legacy in contemporary fiction

• Many contemporary authors continue to employ realist techniques in their work
• Social realism remains a significant strand in American literature, addressing current issues
• Psychological realism's exploration of character depth influences modern character-driven fiction
• Realism's emphasis on authentic dialogue and detailed description persists in various genres

Criticism and debates

• Realism sparked numerous debates among writers, critics, and readers about its merits and limitations
• These discussions often centered on philosophical and aesthetic questions about the nature of art and reality
• Many of these debates continue to be relevant in contemporary literary discourse

Objectivity vs subjectivity

• Questioned whether true objectivity in literature is possible or desirable
• Debated the role of the author's perspective in shaping supposedly objective narratives
• Explored the tension between presenting factual details and interpreting human experience
• Considered how narrative techniques like point of view affect the perception of objectivity

Realism vs idealism

• Discussed the value of depicting life "as it is" versus presenting idealized visions
• Debated whether realism's focus on everyday life and social problems was overly pessimistic
• Explored the potential for realist literature to inspire social change or reinforce existing conditions
• Questioned whether art should primarily reflect reality or strive to transcend it

Social responsibility of authors

• Debated the extent to which authors should address social and political issues in their work
• Discussed the balance between artistic expression and moral or didactic purposes in literature
• Explored the potential impact of realistic portrayals on readers' perceptions and behaviors
• Questioned whether authors have an obligation to critique or improve society through their writing