Realism Unit 3: Division, Reconciliation, and Expansion

Characteristics of Realistic Era Writing Belief that humans control their destinies Characters in Realist Era pieces ACT on their environment rather than REACTING to it. Characters in these pieces are superior to circumstance.

Characteristics of Realistic Era Writing The character is more important than action and plot. Complex ethical choices are often the subject of the writing. In contrast to previous eras, realistic writing rests upon the strengths of its characters rather than plot.

Characteristics of Realistic Era Writing The realistic writer’s goals: ▫Represent experiences that are usual or typical rather than extraordinary or exotic. ▫Create a narrator that is not omniscient but who is often unreliable b/c he doesn’t have all the information. ▫Create a narrator whose perceptions are colored by his own prejudices or beliefs.

Characteristics of Realistic Era Writing Realistic writers: ▫Embrace the concept that people are neither completely good or completely bad—just somewhere on the spectrum (differs from previous eras). ▫Write in such a way that most of the “action” is internalized. ▫Create turning points and climaxes that are characterized by changes in mood or perceptions or opinions.

Characteristics of Realistic Era Writing In Realistic writing: ▫Social class is important. ▫Symbolism is controlled and limited. ▫Images are depended upon.

Regionalism/Local Color Unit 3: Division, Reconciliation, and Expansion

Characteristics of Regionalism / Local Color The emphasis is frequently on nature and the limitations it imposes. Settings are frequently remote and may sometimes settings may become a character in itself. Stories may include lots of storytelling and revolve around the community and its rituals.

Characteristics of Regionalism / Local Color Local color stories: ▫Tend to be concerned with the character of the district or region rather than with the individual. ▫Tend to involve character types—which are sometimes stereotypical. ▫Involve characters who are marked by their adherence to the old ways ▫By dialect, and by particular personality trails central to the region.

Characteristics of Regionalism / Local Color Narrator in Regional / Local Color stories:  Is typically educated observer from the world beyond who learns something from the characters.  Serve as mediators between the rural fold of the tale and the urban audience to whom the tale is directed.

Characteristics of Regionalism / Local Color Writing reflects and antipathy to change and a certain degree of nostalgia for an always-past golden age. A celebration of community and acceptance in the face of adversity characterizes women’s local color fiction. Tension or conflict between urban ways and old- fashioned rural values is often symbolized  Often with intrusion of an outsider who seeks something from the community.

Naturalism Unit 3: Division, Reconciliation, and Expansion

Characteristics of Naturalism Naturalistic Writing: ▫Tends to view people as hapless victims of natural laws. ▫Presents the reader with reality without illusion, to offer scientific, detached view rather than simply please or even mislead reader. ▫Scrutinizes the ills of society—naturalist writers believed that the laws behind the forces that govern human lives might be studied and understood.

Characteristics of Naturalism This movement found expression almost exclusively within the novel. It found its greatest number of practitioners in America. Dominant theme is that persons are fated to whatever station in life their heredity, environment, and social conditions prepare them for.

Characteristics of Naturalism Characters in Naturalist Writing:  Live in a natural world that is indifferent to their plights.  Are controlled by their heredity, environment, instincts, and passions.  Are often set in harsh urban or unforgiving frontier landscapes.