The Rise of Realism 1850-1900

Historical Background Population 42 million: Immigration now from eastern Europe, Russia, Scandinavian countries

Key to settlement, shapes subject matter, and attitudes of writers Transportation Key to settlement, shapes subject matter, and attitudes of writers

Unresolved Challenges Civil War No more slaves Growth of industry Causes slums and labor unrest Agricultural problems

Realism in literature Takes the place of Romanticism Portrays ordinary life as real people live it Attempts to show characters and events in an objective, almost factual way

Realism in Literature Portrays the brutal frontier life. Portrays the problems with cities, slums, and labor unionscorruption Realism finds meaning in the commonplace

Rise in Realism Realistic writers can deal honestly with characters that Romantic writers either avoided or glossed over such as factory workers, bosses, politicians, and gunfighters.

Naturalism More than realism—naturalism shows the inescapable work through natural forces People have no control over events (writers tended to be pessimistic) Naturalist writer—Jack London

Naturalism Destiny is decided by: Heredity Environment Physical drives Economic circumstances

Regionalism Also called Local Color Movement Emphasis on specific geographic setting; can be sentimental/unrealistic Regional dialect (speech/manners)

Portrays vivid descriptions of landscapes Regionalism Portrays vivid descriptions of landscapes Seeks to capture essence of life in various regions of growing nation

Literature During this Period Short stories, novels, poetry, and muckraking journalism Famous writers: Stephen Crane Henry James Jack London Harriet Beecher Stowe Kate Chopin W. E. B. Dubois Willa Cather

Elements of Realism Real-life situation (ethical struggles and social issues) Ordinary characters and realistic events Everyday speech patterns are used to reveal class and geographic distinctions (regionalism)

Psychological Realism Romaticism Trancendentalism Dark Romanticism Realism Naturalism Psychological Realism

Realism, Naturalism, and Realism Realism, Regionalism, and Naturalism are intertwined and connected. Their influence has dominated most literature created since 1920, though the movement itself is dated to roughly that point. They are truly American modes of writing.