American Literature Study Guide - Chapter 7

Two literary movements, Realism and Naturalism, developed between which years?

1865-1914?

What major societal changes occurred in Post-Civil War America?

Rapid industrialization and Darwin's theory of evolution

What contributed to the growth of cities during this period?

Immigrants, freed slaves moving north, and struggling farmers

Name three important businessmen of the Post-Civil War era.

Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, J. P. Morgan

Who were two prominent evangelists of the revival movement?

Dwight L. Moody and Billy Sunday

What is the concept that anyone can succeed through hard work called?

The American Dream

What does Realism focus on in literature?

Writing about everyday life and ordinary people, based on what the author actually sees, and uses careful descriptions of setting and characters

How does Naturalism differ from Realism?

Naturalism is darker and believes life is controlled by forces outside human control. It often shows humans as animal-like, influenced by Darwin's ideas

What elements do Regionalists focus on?

Specific geographic areas, dialect, customs, clothing, beliefs, and landscape

What is 'local color' writing?

Writing that pays special attention to a specific region or setting with a romantic or nostalgic tone, often short stories

What is Bret Harte known for?

Being the American Dickens and writing stories about the American West

What is a notable characteristic of James Whitcomb Riley's writing?

Folksy style with a nostalgic tone and happy endings. He often wrote in dialect and used sound words (onomatopoeia).

What is an example of conflict in Sarah Orne Jewett's story 'A White Heron'?

Sylvia feels a strong connection to nature, facing an internal conflict

What themes are prevalent in Emily Dickinson's poetry?

Imagination, nature, death, hope, and faith

What is the significance of the poem 'Hope is the thing with feathers'?

It illustrates that hope never stops, sings in storms, and is everywhere

- Wrote about Louisiana society

- Wrote about race and social problems

- Known for controversial themes

Kate Chopin

What is the 'one-drop rule' in relation to race?

One drop of African blood meant a person was considered black

What is the irony in 'Désirée's Baby'?

Armand, who is proud of his ancestry, is actually the one with African ancestry

Define imagery in literature.

Words that appeal to the senses

What is the difference between perfect rhyme and slant rhyme?

Perfect rhyme has exact same ending sounds, while slant rhyme has similar but not exact sounds

What is sentimentalism in writing?

Overly emotional writing

What does verbal irony mean?

Words that mean the opposite of what is intended

What is a key difference between Regionalists and Realists?

Regionalists focus on setting and local life, while Realists delve into deeper character and serious themes

How were regionalists and realists different?

Regionalists were usually less serious than major realists

What was the writing style of Bret Harte?

- Clean writing

- Strong endings

- Surprising twists

True/False: The country in "The Boom in the Calaveras Clarion" was a real place in California?

True; Calaveras County is a real place in California.

Sounds that imitate real noises (i.e., BANG, POW, ZAP)

Onomatopoeia (often used by James Whitcomb Riley)

- Regionalist writer from New England

- Loved the countryside

- Wrote short stories for magazines

- Author of "A White Heron"

Sarah Orne Jewett

Local color includes...

Customs, dialect, beliefs, setting

- Lived in Amherst, Massachusetts

- Very private life

- Published very little while alive

Emily Dickinson

In Dickinson's poem "Much Madness is divinest Sense," what literary device is used throughout?

Paradox

In Dickinson's poem "I like to see it lap the Miles", what is an example of an extended metaphor?

Train compared to an animal (extended metaphor)

In Dickinson's poem "Because I could not stop for Death", what does the house represent?

The grave

Important Ideas in "Désiré's Baby"

- Racism in the South

- Pride in ancestry

- Irony at the end

Marriage between different races

Miscegenation

What does the ending of "Désirée's Baby" reveal?

Armand is actually the one with African ancestry

What is the theme of "Désirée's Baby"?

Society's view of race is wrong and harmful

True / False Concepts to Remember

- Darwin taught survival of the fittest

- Naturalists show humans as animal-like

- Harte was not a strict realist

- Calaveras County is real

- Some Harte stories were based on real life

Essay Topic: Regionalists vs Realists

regionalists → setting and local life

realists → deeper character and serious themes

Essay Topic: Désirée's Baby irony

- Armand is proud of his ancestry

- He is actually the one with African heritage

- The story criticizes racism