Realism in American Literature 1865 1914 American Literature

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Realism in American Literature 1865 -1914

Realism in American Literature 1865 -1914

American Literature The Puritan Era 1600 - 1750 Age of Reason 1750 -1800 Realism

American Literature The Puritan Era 1600 - 1750 Age of Reason 1750 -1800 Realism Romanticism Transcendentalism 1800 -1840 -1855 1865 -1915 Contemporary and Post-Modern Period Modernism 1916 -1946 – Present

Historical Context Population of U. S. is growing rapidly (1865 - 1915). Science, industry

Historical Context Population of U. S. is growing rapidly (1865 - 1915). Science, industry and transportation are expanding. Harsh realities of the Civil War and frontier life made Americans less optimistic about the future. Idealism of the Romantics and philosophy of Transcendentalists seemed out of date and irrelevant to many.

Literary Movements Realism: stressed actual reality as opposed to fanciful or imaginative worlds Naturalism:

Literary Movements Realism: stressed actual reality as opposed to fanciful or imaginative worlds Naturalism: based on Realism but more pessimistic; believed that larger forces were at work, such as nature, fate, and heredity Regionalism: focused on local flavor and cultures; often humorous

Romanticism vs. Realism “The trapper was placed on a rude seat which had been

Romanticism vs. Realism “The trapper was placed on a rude seat which had been made with studied care…His body was placed so as to let the light of the setting sun fall full upon the solemn features. His head was bare, the long thin locks of gray fluttering lightly in the evening breeze. ” He was most fifty and he looked it. His hair was long and tangled and greasy, and you could see his eyes shining through… there warn’t no color in his face; it was white…a white to make a body sick…a tree-toad white, a fish belly white. As for his clothes, just rags, that’s all.

Realism in American Literature Purpose is to instruct & entertain. Character is more important

Realism in American Literature Purpose is to instruct & entertain. Character is more important than plot. Subject matter is drawn from real life. Realists reject symbolism and romanticizing of subjects. Settings are usually familiar to the author. Plots emphasize normal experience. Characters are complex, ordinary people.

Authors Stephen Crane: The Red Badge of Courage Willa Cather: O Pioneers!, My Antonia

Authors Stephen Crane: The Red Badge of Courage Willa Cather: O Pioneers!, My Antonia Bret Harte: “Outcasts of Poker Flats” Jack London: The Call of the Wild Kate Chopin: “Story of an Hour” Mark Twain: Life on the Mississippi, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Literary Style and Concerns Uniformity and diversity Capturing the commonplace Writing Local in vernacular

Literary Style and Concerns Uniformity and diversity Capturing the commonplace Writing Local in vernacular and local dialect stories Nature again: beauty but also hardship

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American Imperialism 1865 1914 American Imperialism 1865 1914American Imperialism 1865 1914 American Imperialism 1865 1914
Realism and Naturalism 1865 1910 Realism Realism isRealism and Naturalism 1865 1910 Realism Realism is
Realism 1865 1914 OBJECTIVES Introduction to Realism CompetencyRealism 1865 1914 OBJECTIVES Introduction to Realism Competency
American Literature Realism and Naturalism 1850 1914 RealismAmerican Literature Realism and Naturalism 1850 1914 Realism
American Literature Realism and Naturalism 1850 1914 RealismAmerican Literature Realism and Naturalism 1850 1914 Realism
American Literature Realism and Naturalism 1850 1914 RealismAmerican Literature Realism and Naturalism 1850 1914 Realism