American Realism

1865-1910

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

Bye-Bye Romanticism• Formed as reaction against

romantic literature and art• Interested in scientific methods• Clear documentation of history• Rational philosophy

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

Literary Characteristics1 - Detailed following of reality

Literary Characteristics2 - Character over plot

Literary Characteristics3 - Ethical decisions at root of the

story

Literary Characteristics4 - Complexity of human emotion

and temperament shown

Literary Characteristics5 - Social status or class

distinguished

Literary Characteristics6 - Realistic events in plot

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

Romanticism vs. Realism• What lies behind us and what lies

before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.Ralph Waldo Emerson

• Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.Mark Twain

Romanticism vs. Realism Art

Realism vs. Romanticism Art