1. American Realism

2. Realism “Faithful representation of reality”
Largely a technique of writing
Often denotes middle-class life

3. Bye-Bye Romanticism
Formed as reaction against romantic literature and art
Interested in scientific methods
Clear documentation of history
Rational philosophy

4. Driving Forces Rapid growth after the Civil War Democracy
Literacy increasing
Industrializing and Urbanizing
Immigration
Middle-class’ raising affluence
Yearning to understand the culture of America

5. Literary Characteristics
1 - Detailed following of reality

6. Literary Characteristics
2 - Character emphasized over plot

7. Literary Characteristics
3 - Ethical decisions at root of the story

8. Literary Characteristics
4 - Complexity of human emotion and temperament shown

9. Literary Characteristics
5 - Social status or class distinguished

10. Literary Characteristics
6 - Realistic events in plot

11. Romanticism vs. Realism
Dreams are the touchstones of our character.
Henry David Thoreau
If you can't read, it's going to be hard to realize dreams.
Booker T. Washington

12. Romanticism vs. Realism
What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt.
Mark Twain

13. Romanticism vs. Realism Art

14. Romanticism vs. Realism Art

15. Romanticism vs. Realism Art

16. Romanticism vs. Realism Art