American Realism, Regionalism, and Local Color 1860-1914 (about)

“Realism is nothing more and nothing less than the truthful treatment of material.” –William Dean Howells

What is Realism? An approach that attempts to describe life without idealization or romantic subjectivity Emphasis on development of believable characters. Prominent from 1860-1914.

Why did Realism develop? The Civil War The growing urbanization, industrialization, and capitalism of America The emerging middle class Focus on scientific revolution: truth and knowledge based on empirical data As a reaction to Romanticism

A Look at the Literature: Wanted to paint an extremely accurate picture of life  “verisimilitude” Believable plots, settings, and characters Characters more important than plot Characters are lower or middle-class Lots of imagery and concrete details to make the work seem more realistic and believable Vernacular  Regional dialects and extensive dialogue (local color)

A Look at the Literature: Objectivity and neutrality Social awareness and critique of society/institutions Wrote about the common, and everyday life; topics included poverty, slums, factories, prostitution, corrupt politicians Tone often comic, satiric, or matter-of-fact (wanted to instruct and entertain)

What is Regionalism? Often called “local color.” Focuses on characters, speech (dialect), setting, customs, dress, living/working conditions, and other features specific to a certain region (eg. the South) Coincided with Realism and shares many of the same traits.

Why did Regionalism develop? Resistance to see local culture lost with the changing face of America An outgrowth of realism with more focus on a particular setting and its influence over characters Combined influence of Realism, Romanticism, and the building of a national identity

Points to Remember… Realism, Regionalism, and Naturalism are intertwined and connected. They are truly American modes of writing  they attempt to capture America as it really is

What is Naturalism? Applied scientific principles of objectivity and detachment to the study of human beings. Influenced by Darwinism (natural selection) and psychology (Freud) Posited that men were governed by heredity and environment. Often depict man in conflict with nature, society, or himself. Prominent from 1880-1920(ish)

Naturalist Writers Stephen Crane Ambrose Bierce Jack London Edwin Arlington Robinson Katherine Anne Porter Charlotte Perkins Gilman Edith Wharton

Why did Naturalism develop? The swell of immigrants in the latter half of the 19th century, which led to a larger lower class and increased poverty in the cities The prominence of psychology and the theories of Sigmund Freud Pessimism in the wake of the Civil War and Reconstruction Publication of Charles Darwin’s Origin of the Species