American Regionalism, Realism, and Naturalism (ish)

What is Realism?  A faithful representation of reality in literature, also known as “verisimilitude.”  Emphasis on development of believable characters.  Written in natural vernacular, or dialect.  Prominent from

Realist Writers  Mark Twain  William Dean Howells  Henry James  Edgar Lee Masters

Why did Realism develop?  The Civil War  The urbanization and industrialization of America  As a reaction to Romanticism  Increasing rates of democracy and literacy  The emerging middle class  Upheaval and social change in the latter half of the 19 th century

What is Regionalism?  Often called “local color.”  Focuses on characters, dialect, customs, topography, and other features specific to a certain region (eg. the South)  Coincided with Realism and sharing many of the same traits.  Prominent from

Regionalist Writers  Kate Chopin— South  Mary E. Wilkins- Freeman—New England  Mark Twain—West  Willa Cather— Midwest

Why did Regionalism develop?  Dual influence of Romanticism and Realism  The Civil War and the building of a national identity  An outgrowth of realism with more focus on a particular setting and its influence over characters

What is Naturalism?  Naturalist sought to decribe the effect of nature and social forces on the individual.  Naturalism is an offshoot of realism.  Influenced by Darwinism (natural selection) and psychology (Freud)  Often depict man in conflict with nature, society, or himself.  Prominent from (ish)

Naturalism Typically: 1.) Renders common people and life accurately 2.) Shows that environment and instinct determine behavior 3.) Paints human destiny as beyond the control of the individual 4.) Uses Setting, theme, irony, and conflict to convey these ideas.

Forces Beyond the Character’s Control Characters are dominated by external or internal forces: Environmental A storm, or a character lost at sea Social conditions A character born into poverty. Chance (fate) A character’s child is suddenly stricken with typhoid fever. Internal Passions Lust, greed, or desire for dominance or pleasure overcome rational behavior.

The Indifferent and Omnipotent Power of Nature Nature/Fate is as an indifferent force acting upon the lives of human beings. Works often describe the futile attempts of human beings to exercise free will in a universe that ironically reveals that free will is an illusion. Violence and tragedy is often the result

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 19 th 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

Points to Remember…  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.

Ask Yourself: How would naturalist respond to the following statements and why would they respond that way. 1.) Some people are kind to the core. 2.) You can be whatever you want to be.