Realism Literature Movement

Realism in America

William Dean Howells

  • Promoter of literary realism in America

  • Encouraged realistic approach to depicting ordinary people

  • Promoted careers of prominent American writers

Characteristics of Realism

  • Characters should speak, believe, and act realistically based on their background

    • Reflect personal economy, education, social status, race, gender, wealth, religion

  • Characters should resemble real people one might encounter in life

  • Motives should be realistic and true to characters

Rejection of Romanticism

  • Realists rejected romantic excess

  • Wanted to create verisimilitude through accurate descriptions

  • Focused on character development over intricate plots

Social Context of Realism

  • Influenced by social, historical, and material context

  • Growth of capital and industry led to social divides and concentration of wealth

  • Urban communities grew rapidly, impacting class structures and social mobility

  • Marx's theories and Darwin's theory of evolution influenced cultural conversation

Influence of Photography and Technology

  • Photography raised stakes for representing the world

  • Better printing technology and disposable income of middle class created demand for literature

  • Provided marginalized voices, including women and people of color, a platform to reach mass audience

Artistic and Ethical Choices

  • Realist literature focused on character drama and ethical dilemmas

  • Explored themes of social reform, individuality, and ethical maturity

  • Reflected the changing societal landscape and cultural conversations of the 19th century

Darwin's Writers and Naturalist Authors

  • Exploration of living conditions: Writers like Darwin delved into the impact of one's upbringing, whether urban middle class or poor immigrants.

    • Marx and Darwin highlighted the debate on personal nature versus environmental influence.

  • Naturalist literature: Focused on relentless forces like environment and heredity affecting less fortunate individuals.

    • Contrasted with realist literature by being deterministic, pessimistic, and centered on lower economic classes.

  • Prominent naturalist authors: Stephen Crane, Frank Norris, Upton Sinclair, and Ellen Glasgow depicted societal struggles and injustices in their works.

Social Reformers and Activists

  • Influence of social reformers: Figures like Ida M. Tarbell, Louis Brandeis, and Jacob Riis shed light on societal issues through their work.

    • Journalists labeled as muckrakers contributed to exposing social injustices.

  • Women's rights activism: Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton fought for women's suffrage, a constitutional right still denied.

  • Racism as a persistent issue: W. E. B.