Realism Julia Hu Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn t. -Mark Twain
Realism portrayal of life as it really is without embellishing or fantastical details Background Information Originated from France in 19 th century around time Romanticism ended Art movement as well as literary Late 19 th century to early 20 th century Occurred during Second Industrial Revolution (1870-1914) o Rapid urbanization led to emergence of middle class Spread of literacy in lower classes Spread to America: also many societal changes o About 1865 (end of Civil War) to 1914 (WWI) o Improvements in technology o Politics corruption, economics, parties, politicians o Reconstruction Era after American Civil War o Civil rights; focus on sexism, racism, and classism Characteristics Specific details about contemporary setting Verisimilitude great emphasis on truth and reality (but paradox in textual representation being unable to capture every aspect of life) Class and society are prevalent themes o Socialist realism Explores everyday lives of middle class and sometimes lower class Usually focuses on average people and places rather than romantic characters Societies or large groups rather than individual Diction is simple and/or fits characters (i.e. specific dialect) Plot is centered around thoughts and behaviors of characters rather than actions or events; tend to move slowly
Does not hesitate to include negative aspects of life as well keeping with faithful representation Importance in objectivity Main topics addressed by writers o Rejection of Romanticism; often shows treatment of romantic character in realistic setting o Commentary on current events at time, i.e. war or movement o Commentary on actions or morals of particular social class o Desire to thoroughly explore negative realities of life, such as poverty, death, and discrimination Notable Writers and Works Mark Twain (pen name of Samuel Clemens) American author o The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1885) Explores race and character in the antebellum South Leo Tolstoy Russian author o War and Peace (1869) Focuses on lives of civilians as Napoleon conquers western Europe o Anna Karenina (1877) Clashing of self and societal obligations Gustave Flaubert French novelist o Madame Bovary (1856) One of the first major works of Realism Great Expectations (1860) by Charles Dickens Rags to riches story which explores the differences between upper and lower classes Middlemarch (1874) by George Eliot Deals with being an outsider in the upper class society of a small town Honoré de Balzac French author and playwright William Dean Howells American author and critic Stephen Crane American poet and author Anton Chekhov Famous Russian playwright Guy de Maupassant French author who wrote short stories Walt Whitman American poet
Additional Information Problem play deals with social issues through stage characters o Shakespeare (Merchant of Venice) Many works outside of the time period of Realism exist; although they are not considered part of Realism, they contain realistic characteristics Does not have to contradict Romanticism; period of time during transition from Romanticism to Realism features some works with elements of both Themes of love and marriage are common, but are explored with the consequences which they can bring Major characters will often include women Related movements/genres: o Naturalism Similar to realism, but more scientific and humanoriented o Modernism Response to Realism o Magical realism Often focuses on current events or societal realism, but disregards realistic events and setting
Chosen Works Section XV from Song of Myself by Walt Whitman Poetry Song of Myself is a long poem written in free verse and divided into fifty-two sections. It comes from Whitman s magnum opus, Leaves of Grass, which is a collection of various poems. Song of Myself contains elements of both romanticism and realism; Section XV, however, focuses on the realistic aspects of city life in 1855. It exposes the going-ons of everyone in this city, from the scorned work of a prostitute to the fancy balls conducted by upper class gentlemen. In the end, the speaker discusses the deeper truth behind all these people: although many differ in social status, wealth, and personality, they are all human in the end, and therefore equal in at least one way. The Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov Drama The Three Sisters focuses on the lives of the three titular sisters in the play: Irina, Maria, and Olga. They long to escape the provincial town which they currently live in while romanticizing Moscow, where they lived eleven years ago. Throughout the play, various elements trap the sisters in this small town, including their brother s vindictive wife, large amounts of debt, and an obligation to their own family. As their lives continue down this depressing slope, the sisters begin to realize that their dream of returning to Moscow may only be just a dream. Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert Prose Madame Bovary focuses on the life of Emma Rouault, who marries Charles Bovary, a middle-class country doctor. She becomes bored with life in a provincial countryside town and passionately longs for a life of grandiosity. However, her frivolous behavior in the face of logic leads to her eventual downfall. Flaubert s rejection of romanticism places Emma, a romantic character, in a realistic setting.
Close Textual Analysis Section I from Stephen Crane s War is Kind 1 6 12 17 23 Do not weep, maiden, for war is kind, Because your lover threw wild hands toward the sky And the affrighted steed ran on alone, Do not weep. War is kind. Hoarse, booming drums of the regiment, Little souls who thirst for fight, These men were born to drill and die. The unexplained glory flies above them. Great is the battle-god, great, and his kingdom A field where a thousand corpses lie. Do not weep, babe, for war is kind. Because your father tumbles in the yellow trenches, Raged at his breast, gulped and died, Do not weep. War is kind. Swift blazing flag of the regiment, Eagle with crest of red and gold, These men were born to drill and die. Point for them the virtue of slaughter, Make plain to them the excellence of killing And a field where a thousand corpses lie. Mother whose heart hung humble as a button On the bright splendid shroud of your son, Do not weep. War is kind!
Writing Assignment Writers of Realism often address at least one of four major topics, which can be found under the Characteristics section in this packet. Determine one of the four topics which Willa Cather addresses in A Wagner Matinee and argue your point with a clear thesis. Your paper should contain at least two thoroughly analyzed quotes to support your thesis and must be no shorter than one page and no longer than two pages. Rubric Thesis Quotes Analyses MLA/Grammar/ Formatting 10 Points 8 Points 6 Points 0 Points Takes a standing addressing 1 of the 4 topics Has 2+ quotes; quotes make sense in support of the thesis Analysis thoroughly explains quotes/makes specific references back to thesis 1-2 pages/1 or fewer grammar mistakes/2 or fewer MLA mistakes/mistakes do not detract from understanding -- Has 2+ quotes, but one does not make sense in support of the thesis Analysis and reference to thesis for one quotation is lacking 1-2 pages/2-3 or fewer grammar mistakes/2 or fewer MLA mistakes/mistakes do not detract from understanding Vague/ unfocused attempt at a thesis Has only 1 quotation; or has two quotations that don t make sense in support of the thesis Analysis and reference to the thesis is lacking for 2 quotations 1-2 pages/4-5 grammar mistakes/3-4 MLA mistakes/mistakes somewhat detract from understanding No thesis No quotes No attempt at analysis < 1 page or exceeds 2 pages by an unreasonable amount/6+ grammar mistakes/5+ MLA mistakes /mistakes detract from understanding
Works Cited Campbell, Donna M. "Realism in American Literature, 1860-1890." Literary Movements. Washington State University Dept. of English, 7 Sept. 2015. Web. 4 Feb. 2017. Chekhov, Anton Pavlovich. "The Three Sisters." Four Great Plays. New York: Bantam, 1978. N. pag. Print. Crane, Stephen. "War Is Kind." War Is Kind and Other Lines. New York City: Library of America, n.d. N. pag. War Is Kind and Other Lines. Library of America, 20 May 1899. Web. 4 Feb. 2017. Flaubert, Gustave. Trans. Francis Steegmuller. Book-of-the-Month Club ed. New York City: Random House, 1992. Print. Rahn, Josh. "Realism." Literature Periods & Movements. Jalic Inc., 2011. Web. 15 Sept. 2016. "Realism (late 1800s-early 1900s)." Scholastic Art. Ed. Donna Campbell. Scholastic, n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2017. Scheidenhelm, Carol, Ph.D. "Romanticism, Realism and Naturalism." Romanticism, Realism and Naturalism. Loyola University, 14 Aug. 2007. Web. 11 Feb. 2017. Twain, Mark. "Truth Is Stranger than Fiction, but It Is Because Fiction Is Obliged to Stick to Possibilities; Truth Isn t. Pudd nhead Wilson s New Calendar." Preface. Following the Equator. New York: Harper, 1899. N. pag. Print. Von Herkomer, Hubert. Hard Times. 1885. Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester, England. Wheeler, Kip. "Realism." Literary Terms and Definitions R. Carson-Newman University, 5 Jan. 2017. Web. 11 Feb. 2017. Whitman, Walt. "XV." Song of Myself. London: Vintage Classics, 2015. N. pag. Print.