American Realism The Civil War and Post-War Period Thomas Charles Farrer ( ), Mount Tom, 1865

Realists sought to accurately portray real life, without filtering it through personal feelings, romanticism, or idealism. Elements of Literature, 6 th ed (419)

American Realism—Big Ideas Reaction against Romanticism The world is what it is, and that can be awful and frightening Influenced by rational philosophy and the scientific method Reflect on urban, modern, and middle class life rejection of the sensational or sentimental focus on the ordinary man loss of optimism

Response to Start of the Civil War Rapidly growing cities and slums Factories replacing farms Corruption in politics A generally reaction to the shift taking place in America- Switching between agriculture and industry. Children in Mullen’s Alley, photograph, Jacob Riis, 1888photograph

New Voices, New Subjects Geoerge Caleb Bingham Mississippi Boatman 1850 A native son.

Characteristics of the literature Character is more important than plot Natural/ regional diction First person slowly fades over time

First American Author Samuel Clemens AKA Mark Twain