Realism: A term describing the literary period that lasted
from about 1865 – 1916. Literature from this period is
characterized by a return to literal and authentic representation
of human life and experience.
Historical Importance: The Romantic Movement began shortly
after the Civil War. After fighting a war against its own people,
America was no longer disillusioned by romantic, fanciful ideas. The
start of the industrial revolution brought a sharp light to reality.
As theories on the evolution of species and other scientific
movements became popularized, it seemed much more reasonable to write
about a real, scientific world where humans were in control.
Realism’s
Most Famous Figures:
Samuel Clemens - Raised on the Mississippi after the end of
the civil war. Became a printer then rode river barges before
publishing his first successful piece: The Notorious Jumping Frog of
Calvarias County. Clemens, know as Mark Twain, was a well known
humorist realist writer and lecturer.
Edith Wharton - Raised as a trophy wife in the upper class of
New York, she was unsatisfied by her idle aristocratic life. She
made many advances from women writers and contributed to the
psychological realism movement.
W.D. Howells - William Dean Howells began his life as a
printer and typesetter before going to work for Atlantic Monthly. He
established himself as a successful writer and unbiased helped
advance the careers of many new writers.
Exemplary
Quotes:
“They require that when the author describes the character of a
personage in his tale, the conduct and conversation of that person
shall justify said description.”
Mark Twain (aka Samuel Clemens)
Fenimore
Cooper’s Literary Offenses
This
quote exemplifies what Mark Twain should be the main characteristic
of a character in a realist novel: That they be realistic and act
like a real person.
“I
guess I’d better tell you, Editha, that I consecrated myself to
your god of battles last night by pouring too many libations to him
down my own throat. But I’m alright now. One has to carry off
the excitement, somehow”
-W. D. Howells
Editha
This is an excellent example of the rules laid out by
Mark Twain in Fenimore Cooper’s Literary
Offenses. In Editha, it is not difficult to
judge from Gearson’s character that he will join the army and
go to war. Both the decision to join and his reaction are
realistically portrayed.
“In consequence of his wife’s allusion to
their age Major Monarch observed: ‘Naturally it’s more
for the figure that we thought of going in. We can still hold
ourselves up.’ On the instant I saw that the figure was indeed
their strong point.”
Henry James
The Real Thing
This is a good quote to use as an example of realism
because in this description James makes clear the faults and
shortcomings of the couple. Nothing is falsified, we see these people
for what they are.
epresentation
of human life and experience.