REALISM REGIONALISM AND NATURALISM 1865 1915 Realism is
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REALISM, REGIONALISM, AND NATURALISM (1865 -1915) “Realism is nothing more and nothing less than the truthful treatment of material” --William Dean Howells
Historical Setting The Civil War had ended Westward expansion had begun Immigrants from Western Europe and Scandinavian countries were crowding the shores By 1915 the population of the U. S. had increased by 42 million people
Realism Style of writing, developed in the 19 th century Attempts to portray ordinary people as they Life in factual way life of lived
Principles of Realism q q Insistence upon and defense of “the experienced commonplace” Character more important than plot Attack upon Romanticism and Romantic writers Emphasis upon morality often selfrealized and upon examination of idealism
Identifying Characteristics of Realistic Writing q Philosophy known as ‘descendental’ q q Reality is the sensory experience Subject matter drawn from our own experience Relations between people and society are explored Emphasis placed on scenic presentation
Realistic Characterizations Humans control their own destinies Characters act on their environment rather than simply reacting to it Character is simply superior to circumstance
Realistic Techniques q q q Setting familiar to writer Plots emphasize norm of daily experience Ordinary characters, studied in depth Complete authorial objectivity Responsible morality
TWO SUBGROUPS Regiona lism & m s i l a r Natu
Regionalism Literature depicts distinct culture, landscape, attitudes and dialects of a specific area Also referred as ‘local color movement’ because it implemented the local dialects and landscapes to add regional flavor to each story Examples: William Faulkner Kate Chopin John Steinbeck Sarah Orne Jewett Sinclair Lewis Mark Twain
Naturalism Depicts people’s lives as controlled by hereditary and environment Dust Bowl Portrays life exactly as it is 1930 s We are not in control of our own destiny Shaped by uncontrollable circumstances Examples Stephen Crane Jack London Grapes of Wrath