3.1 Realism and social commentary

Realism in Victorian literature marked a shift towards depicting everyday life and social issues. Writers focused on the experiences of ordinary people, particularly the middle and lower classes, rejecting the idealized narratives of Romanticism.

This movement used fiction to expose societal problems and advocate for reform. Realist authors employed detailed descriptions, authentic dialogue, and objective narration to create a vivid and convincing portrayal of reality, influencing future literary movements.

Realism in Victorian literature

• Emerged as a literary movement in the mid-19th century, reflecting the social and cultural changes of the Victorian era
• Sought to depict the world as it was, without embellishment or idealization, in contrast to the Romantic movement
• Focused on the everyday experiences of ordinary people, particularly the middle and lower classes, rather than the aristocracy or exceptional individuals

Depicting everyday life

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• Realist writers aimed to accurately portray the routines, struggles, and joys of daily life across various social classes
• Included detailed descriptions of work, family dynamics, and social interactions (factory labor, domestic duties, pub gatherings)
• Explored the psychological and emotional experiences of characters as they navigated the challenges of everyday existence
• Emphasized the mundane and commonplace aspects of life, such as financial troubles, marital strife, and personal disappointments

Focus on middle and lower classes

• Realist literature shifted attention from the aristocracy and upper classes to the experiences of the middle and lower classes
• Portrayed the lives of factory workers, shopkeepers, clerks, and other members of the working class (mill workers, governesses, street vendors)
• Explored the social and economic challenges faced by these groups, such as poverty, exploitation, and limited opportunities for advancement
• Highlighted the resilience and dignity of ordinary people in the face of adversity and social constraints

Rejection of Romantic idealism

• Realist writers rejected the idealized and emotionally heightened narratives of the Romantic movement
• Favored a more objective and unvarnished portrayal of reality, without romanticizing or glorifying their subjects
• Eschewed the supernatural, exotic, and fantastical elements often found in Romantic literature
• Focused on the concrete and observable aspects of the world, rather than the imaginative or transcendent
• Sought to present a more accurate and authentic representation of human experience, with all its flaws and complexities

Social commentary through realism

• Realist literature often served as a vehicle for social commentary and critique, using fiction to expose and examine societal problems
• Writers used their works to raise awareness of social issues and advocate for reform, particularly in areas such as poverty, education, and working conditions
• Realism allowed authors to present a more nuanced and complex view of society, highlighting both its strengths and weaknesses

Exposing societal problems

• Realist novels and stories often depicted the harsh realities of life for the working class and the poor, such as overcrowded housing, dangerous working conditions, and inadequate access to education and healthcare
• Exposed the exploitation and mistreatment of vulnerable groups, such as women, children, and immigrants (factory workers, orphans, domestic servants)
• Highlighted the social and economic inequalities that pervaded Victorian society, such as the wide gap between the wealthy and the poor
• Portrayed the psychological and emotional toll of poverty and hardship on individuals and families

Critiquing class inequalities

• Realist writers often used their works to critique the rigid class structure of Victorian society and the barriers it created for social mobility
• Explored the ways in which class distinctions and prejudices shaped individuals' lives and limited their opportunities (education, employment, marriage)
• Portrayed the hypocrisy and superficiality of the upper classes, as well as the struggles of the lower classes to maintain dignity and respect
• Highlighted the injustices and inequalities inherent in a system that privileged birth and wealth over merit and ability

Portraying industrialization's impact

• Realist literature often grappled with the social and economic consequences of industrialization, which transformed Victorian society in profound ways
• Depicted the harsh working conditions in factories, mines, and other industrial settings, as well as the environmental and health impacts of pollution and overcrowding
• Explored the displacement and dislocation of rural populations as they migrated to cities in search of work (urbanization, slums, loss of traditional ways of life)
• Portrayed the changing nature of work and the increasing mechanization of labor, as well as the social and psychological effects of these shifts on individuals and communities

Techniques of realist writing

• Realist writers employed a range of literary techniques to create a sense of authenticity and immediacy in their works
• Aimed to immerse readers in the world of the story and create a vivid and convincing portrayal of reality
• Used detailed descriptions, authentic dialogue, and objective narration to create a sense of verisimilitude and credibility

Detailed descriptions and settings

• Realist writers used vivid and precise descriptions to create a strong sense of place and atmosphere in their works
• Included detailed accounts of the physical environment, such as the layout of a room, the appearance of a street, or the sounds and smells of a factory (cluttered parlors, grimy alleys, clanging machinery)
• Used sensory details to evoke a visceral sense of the world of the story and immerse readers in the experience of the characters
• Paid close attention to the social and cultural context of the story, including the customs, manners, and values of the time and place

Authentic dialogue and speech

• Realist writers sought to capture the authentic speech patterns and idioms of their characters, reflecting their social class, education, and regional background
• Used dialect, slang, and colloquialisms to create a sense of realism and immediacy in the dialogue (Cockney accents, rural idioms, working-class slang)
• Avoided overly formal or stylized language in favor of more natural and conversational speech
• Used dialogue to reveal character traits, motivations, and relationships, as well as to advance the plot and themes of the story

Omniscient third-person narration

• Many realist writers employed an omniscient third-person narrator, who has access to the thoughts, feelings, and motivations of all the characters
• Allowed the narrator to provide a broad and comprehensive view of the story world, including the social, economic, and political context
• Enabled the narrator to comment on and analyze the actions and decisions of the characters, as well as to provide insight into their inner lives
• Created a sense of objectivity and detachment, as the narrator is not a participant in the story but an outside observer

Linear plot structures

• Realist novels often followed a linear and chronological plot structure, with events unfolding in a logical and sequential manner
• Avoided the use of flashbacks, flash-forwards, or other non-linear narrative techniques in favor of a more straightforward and realistic progression of events
• Focused on cause-and-effect relationships and the consequences of characters' actions and decisions
• Used plot to explore the social, psychological, and moral dimensions of the characters' lives, as well as to critique and comment on the larger issues and themes of the story

Major realist writers

• The Victorian era produced a number of influential realist writers who made significant contributions to the development of the genre
• These writers used their works to explore a wide range of social, political, and moral issues, and to provide a vivid and compelling portrait of life in Victorian England
• Their novels and stories continue to be widely read and studied today, and have had a lasting impact on the development of English literature

Charles Dickens

• One of the most famous and influential Victorian novelists, known for his vivid characters, social commentary, and masterful storytelling
• Wrote a series of popular and critically acclaimed novels, including "Oliver Twist," "David Copperfield," and "Great Expectations"
• Used his works to expose and critique the social ills of Victorian society, particularly the plight of the poor and the abuses of the workhouse system
• Employed a mix of realism and satire to create a compelling and often biting portrait of life in Victorian England

George Eliot

• A pioneering female novelist who wrote under a male pseudonym to avoid the prejudices and limitations faced by women writers in the Victorian era
• Known for her psychological realism and her nuanced and complex portrayal of characters and relationships
• Wrote a series of highly regarded novels, including "Middlemarch," "Silas Marner," and "The Mill on the Floss"
• Used her works to explore issues of gender, class, and morality, and to provide a penetrating analysis of the human condition

Elizabeth Gaskell

• A prominent Victorian novelist and short story writer, known for her social realism and her sympathetic portrayal of the working class
• Wrote a number of popular and influential works, including "North and South," "Mary Barton," and "Cranford"
• Used her writing to expose the harsh realities of life in the industrial cities of northern England, and to advocate for social reform and better working conditions
• Employed a mix of realism and sentimentality to create a powerful and emotionally engaging portrait of Victorian society

Thomas Hardy

• A major Victorian novelist and poet, known for his bleak and pessimistic view of life and his vivid portrayal of rural England
• Wrote a series of highly regarded novels, including "Tess of the d'Urbervilles," "Jude the Obscure," and "Far from the Madding Crowd"
• Used his works to explore issues of social class, religion, and the human condition, and to critique the injustices and hypocrisies of Victorian society
• Employed a mix of realism and naturalism to create a powerful and often tragic vision of life in the English countryside

Realism vs romanticism

• Realism emerged in part as a reaction against the idealism and emotionalism of the Romantic movement, which had dominated literature in the early 19th century
• While Romanticism emphasized the imagination, individuality, and the beauty of nature, Realism focused on the objective portrayal of the world as it was, with all its flaws and imperfections
• The two movements differed in their approach to subject matter, style, and themes, and represented different ways of understanding and representing reality

Objectivity over subjectivity

• Realism emphasized an objective and impartial portrayal of reality, based on careful observation and attention to detail
• Sought to present the world as it was, without the distortion of personal feelings or biases
• Avoided the use of subjective or impressionistic language in favor of a more neutral and detached style
• Focused on the external world and the observable facts of life, rather than the inner world of emotions and imagination

Ordinary vs extraordinary

• Realism focused on the lives of ordinary people and the mundane aspects of everyday existence, rather than the exceptional or the heroic
• Portrayed characters who were flawed and complex, rather than idealized or larger-than-life figures
• Explored the struggles and challenges of daily life, such as work, family, and social relationships, rather than grand adventures or epic quests
• Emphasized the commonplace and the familiar, rather than the exotic or the fantastical

Social critique vs idealization

• Realism often used fiction as a means of social critique and commentary, exposing the problems and injustices of Victorian society
• Portrayed the harsh realities of life for the working class and the poor, and highlighted the inequalities and abuses of the class system
• Avoided the idealization or romanticization of the past or the present, and instead sought to present a more accurate and unvarnished view of reality
• Used fiction to advocate for social reform and to raise awareness of the need for change, rather than to escape from or transcend reality

Realism's enduring influence

• Realism had a profound and lasting impact on the development of English literature, and continues to be an important and influential literary movement today
• Its emphasis on social commentary, psychological depth, and the portrayal of ordinary life has shaped the way we understand and appreciate fiction, and has inspired generations of writers and readers
• Realism laid the foundation for later literary movements, such as naturalism and modernism, and continues to be a vital and relevant force in contemporary literature

Foundation for naturalism

• Realism's focus on the objective portrayal of reality and the influence of environmental and social factors on human behavior laid the groundwork for the development of naturalism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
• Naturalist writers, such as Émile Zola and Theodore Dreiser, built on the techniques and themes of realism to create a more deterministic and pessimistic view of human existence
• Emphasized the role of heredity, environment, and social conditions in shaping human behavior and destiny, and portrayed characters as the products of forces beyond their control
• Used fiction to explore the darker aspects of human nature and the struggles of individuals against the constraints of society and biology

Inspiration for social reform

• Realism's emphasis on social commentary and critique helped to inspire a wave of social reform movements in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
• Writers such as Charles Dickens, Elizabeth Gaskell, and George Eliot used their works to raise awareness of the problems of poverty, child labor, and urban squalor, and to advocate for better living and working conditions for the poor
• Their novels and stories helped to galvanize public opinion and to create a sense of urgency around the need for social and political change
• Realism's legacy can be seen in the continued use of literature as a means of social advocacy and critique, and in the ongoing efforts to address issues of inequality and injustice through fiction and other forms of cultural expression

Lasting impact on the novel

• Realism helped to establish the novel as a serious and respected literary form, and to expand its range and scope as a means of exploring the complexities of human experience
• Its emphasis on character development, psychological depth, and social context helped to create a new standard for the novel, and to push the boundaries of what was possible in terms of subject matter and style
• Realist techniques, such as detailed description, authentic dialogue, and omniscient narration, have become standard features of the modern novel, and continue to be used by writers across a wide range of genres and styles
• The legacy of realism can be seen in the enduring popularity and relevance of the works of writers such as Charles Dickens, George Eliot, and Thomas Hardy, and in the continued influence of realist themes and techniques on contemporary literature.