American Regionalism Realism and Naturalism 1860 1920ish Realism

American Regionalism, Realism, and Naturalism 1860 -1920(ish)

Realism A faithful representation of reality in literature, also known as “verisimilitude. ” Emphasis on development of believable characters.

Realism Written in the vernacular, or dialect. Prominent from 1860 -1890.

Why did Realism develop? The Civil War The urbanization and industrialization of America As a reaction to Romanticism

Why did Realism develop? Increasing rates of democracy and literacy The emerging middle class Upheaval and social change in the latter half of the 19 th century

Realist Writers Mark Twain Henry James

Regionalism Often called “local color. ” Focuses on characters, dialect, customs, topography, and other features specific to a certain region (eg. the South)

Regionalism Coincided with Realism and sharing many of the same traits. Prominent from 1865 -1895.

Why did Regionalism develop? Dual influence of Romanticism and Realism The Civil War and the building of a national identity An outgrowth of realism with more focus on a particular setting and its influence over characters

Regionalist Writers Kate Chopin—South Sarah Orne Jewett—New England Mark Twain—West Willa Cather—Midwest

Naturalism Applied scientific principles of objectivity and detachment to the study of human beings. Influenced by Darwinism (natural selection) and psychology (Freud)

Naturalism Posited that men were governed by heredity and environment. Often depict man in conflict with nature, society, or himself. Prominent from 1880 -1920(ish)

Why did Naturalism develop? The swell of immigrants in the latter half of the 19 th century, which led to a larger lower class and increased poverty in the cities The prominence of psychology and theories of Sigmund Freud

Why did Naturalism develop? Pessimism in the wake of the Civil War and Reconstruction Publication of Charles Darwin’s Origin of the Species

Naturalist Writers Stephen Crane Ambrose Bierce Jack London Katherine Anne Porter

Points to Remember… Realism, Regionalism, and Naturalism are intertwined and connected. Their influence has dominated most literature created since 1920, though the movement itself is dated to roughly that point. They are truly American modes of writing.