The Rise of Realism The Civil War and Postwar Period

What is Realism? Realism is a style of writing, developed in the nineteenth century, that attempts to depict life accurately without idealizing or romanticizing it.

Romaticism vs. Realism ROMANTICISM Emphasizes imagination and emotion Depicts larger-than- life heroes Views the world poetically Focuses on the exotic, supernatural, and imaginary worlds REALISM Emphasizes accuracy and objectivity Depicts common, everyday heroes Views the world scientifically Focuses on real-life situations

What caused the Rise of Realism? Several events and conditions lead to the rise of realism. The Civil War Advances in Technology Advances in Science and Education Social Changes

The Civil War and Realism The Civil War was a major cause of the rise of realism in America. The four year conflict The Civil War was a major cause of the rise of realism in America. The four year conflict destroyed cities, industries, and lives industries, and lives left bitter memories and economic desolation and economic desolation in the South in the South

Technology and Realism Technological advances also contributed to the rise of realism in America Technological advances also contributed to the rise of realism in America Photography allowed people to see real, sometimes dismaying, images of war and poverty Telephones and coast-to-coast railways allowed more people than ever to hear about events that affected the nation Five gold stars to the person who can name the famous Five gold stars to the person who can name the famous photographer from the Civil War!!!! photographer from the Civil War!!!!

Science, Education, and Realism Advances in psychology, biology, and geology contradicted long-held beliefs about the nature of humans, the world, and the universe. More people, especially women, minorities, and the poor, had access to an education and learned to read. –N–N–N–Newspapers and the new mass-circulation magazines were widely read.

Social Changes and Realism In 1865 the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, outlawing slavery, was ratified.

Realistic Literature Contains themes that center on contemporary society and on the lives of the middle and lower classes. Describes the details, even when unpleasant, of everyday life Features characters drawn from the poor and outcast of society Avoids extravagant language in favor of simpler, everyday diction

Regionalism: American Realism Regionalism is literature that emphasizes a specific geographic setting and reproduces the speech, behavior, and attitudes of the people who live in that region. Regionalism is literature that emphasizes a specific geographic setting and reproduces the speech, behavior, and attitudes of the people who live in that region. Regionalist writers differed from strict realists by portraying their characters in a somewhat sentimental fashion. The most important regionalist writer we will read is Mark Twain.

Naturalism: One Step Further Naturalism is a 19 th century literary movement that was an extension of realism and that claimed to portray life exactly as it was. Naturalists: –relied heavily on the new fields of psychology and sociobiology –Argued that behavior was determined by heredity and environment and was beyond human control An important American naturalist is Stephen CraneAn important American naturalist is Stephen Crane