realism test

Who is considered "The Great American Poet" and the father of free verse in American literature?

Walt Whitman (1819–1892); Emerson saw him as the poet America needed. Known for Leaves of Grass, he celebrated democracy, nature, love, and friendship.

What are Walt Whitman's signature poetic techniques and themes?

Free verse, imagery, repetition, and lists. Themes include nature, the American spirit, and human connection

Key works by Walt Whitman

Leaves of Grass, Song of Myself, I Hear America Singing, O Captain! My Captain!

Why was Emily Dickinson largely unknown in her time?

She lived a reclusive life in Amherst, MA, and most of her poems were discovered and published after her death.

What are Emily Dickinson’s poetic trademarks?

Slant rhyme, unusual punctuation, and unconventional formatting. Only in 1955 were her poems published as originally written.

Key works by Emily Dickinson

Because I Could Not Stop for Death, Hope is the Thing With Feathers

What is American Realism (1865–1910)?

A reaction to the Civil War and Romanticism, focusing on everyday life, ordinary characters, and realistic detail.

How did Realist writers approach character development?

Emphasized psychological and sociological depth. Focused more on characters than plot.

What is Regionalism or “local color” in literature?

A branch of Realism that uses dialect and setting to portray specific geographic areas. Writers include Twain, Harte, and Harris.

What is a stock character?

A stereotypical character recognized immediately by audiences without development.

Who was Frances Ellen Watkins Harper?

Poet, journalist, and activist. Called “the mother of African American journalism.” Advocated for abolition, women’s rights, and education.

What styles and themes did Frances Harper use in her writing?

Romantic structure with regular rhyme and meter; themes of civil rights, suffrage, and equality.

What shaped Mark Twain’s literary voice?

His childhood in Hannibal, MO, and work as a steamboat pilot. His western adventures also influenced his writing.

Key works by Mark Twain

Tom Sawyer, The Prince and the Pauper, Life on the Mississippi, Huckleberry Finn, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court

How did Mark Twain’s later life influence his work?

Personal tragedies led to a darker, more pessimistic tone in later works like The Mysterious Stranger and Letters from the Earth.

Who was William Dean Howells?

Editor of The Atlantic Monthly, promoter of Realism, and supporter of writers like Twain and James. Wrote about social issues in “Editha.”

What is Bret Harte known for?

Short stories set in the West like The Outcasts of Poker Flat and The Luck of Roaring Camp. Helped launch Mark Twain’s career.

Who was Henry James and what did he contribute to literature?

American-born Realist who moved to England. Focused on character psychology and helped develop third-person limited narration. Wrote Portrait of a Lady.

Who was Paul Laurence Dunbar?

One of the first nationally recognized African-American poets. Known for Lyrics of Lowly Life and the poem “Sympathy.”

What was unique about Dunbar’s poetry?

Wrote both humorous dialect poems and serious verse. Mixed reactions to the popularity of his dialect work.

Who was Alice Dunbar Nelson?

Poet, journalist, and activist. Wrote on racism, oppression, and women’s issues. Advocated for suffrage and anti-lynching legislation.