The “-ism” Literary Movements 1865-1910 During the aftermath of the Civil War, the “-ism” literary movements started to take shape.

The Difference: Realism vs. Naturalism fiction devoted to accurate representation and an exploration of American lives in various contexts

The Difference: Realism vs. Naturalism Taking place during the same time period (1860-1900) Believed the laws behind the forces that govern human lives might be studied and understood. Used a version of the scientific method to write their novels Studied human beings governed by their instincts and passions as well as the ways in which the characters' lives were governed by forces of heredity and environment.

Traits of Realism: Characters Character is more important than action and plot Complex ethical choices are often the subject Characters appear in their real complexity of temperament and motive They are in seen in relation to nature, to each other, to their social class, to their own past. Class is important the novel has traditionally served the interests and aspirations of an insurgent middle class Events will usually be plausible.

Traits of Realism: Style Realistic novels avoid the sensational, dramatic elements of naturalistic novels and romances. Diction is natural vernacular, not heightened or poetic; tone may be comic, satiric, or matter-of-fact.

Traits of Naturalism: Characters Frequently ill-educated or lower-class Lives are governed by the forces of heredity, instinct, and passion. Their attempts at exercising free will or choice are hamstrung by forces beyond their control. Social Darwinism and other theories help to explain their fates to the reader.

Traits of Naturalism: Setting/Plot Setting. Frequently an urban setting. (Except with Jack London) Techniques and plots. It is said that the naturalistic novel offers "clinical, panoramic, slice-of-life" drama that is often a "chronicle of despair”.

Naturalism: Themes The conflict in naturalistic novels is often "man against nature" or "man against himself" as characters struggle to retain a "veneer of civilization" despite external pressures that threaten to release the "brute within." The forces of heredity and environment as they affect--and afflict--individual lives. An indifferent, deterministic universe (Deism) Naturalistic texts often describe the futile attempts of human beings to exercise free will, often ironically presented, in this universe that reveals free will as an illusion.

Types of Conflict Man versus Man: one character creates a direct problem for another Man versus Society: one character is in conflict with a group or the values of a group Man versus Nature: one character is in conflict with a natural force or part of nature Man versus Himself: a character is struggling with a personal decision, value, or moral Man versus Machine: a character is struggling with the power of machines or technology

Characters Realism Characters Use everyday language Have everyday problems Live in middle class homes Naturalism Characters Have little education Live in poor conditions Usually lower class Have desperate situations Are victims of circumstance Use language common to situation

Situations Realism Contains little action Focuses on decisions that the protagonist must make Naturalism Portrays the world as cruel Often occurs in an urban setting Focuses on human suffering

Authors and Their Works Realism Ambrose Bierce “The Devil’s Dictionary” “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” Bret Harte “The Outcasts of Poker Flat” Kate Chopin The Awakening “The Story of an Hour” Mark Twain The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” Life on the Mississippi

Authors and Their Works Naturalism Stephen Crane “The Open Boat” Jack London “To Build a Fire” The Call of the Wild

In the same works, we might also find Regionalism Otherwise known as “local color” Reflects the dialects, customs, and geography of a certain region What region might each represent? Chopin: South Twain: Midwest/South Cather/Harte: West

Words to Know Economic Factors = the role of money Atavism = animal-like behavior; the brute within getting out (literally, genetic regression) Heredity = family or genetic traits playing a role Environment = the physical and situational surroundings Instinct = done without thinking; a gut reaction or feeling; unlearned behavior; impulsive Deism = God does not intervene with human affairs (different than deism of Age of reason)