Population 42 million: Immigration now from eastern Europe, Russia, Scandinavian countries Population 42 million: Immigration now from eastern Europe, Russia, Scandinavian countries

Key to settlement, shapes subject matter and attitudes of writers Key to settlement, shapes subject matter and attitudes of writers

Civil War Civil War Growth of industry (causes slums and labor unrest) Growth of industry (causes slums and labor unrest) Agricultural problems Agricultural problems

Takes the place of Romanticism. Takes the place of Romanticism.

Portrays ordinary life as real people live it. Portrays ordinary life as real people live it. Attempts to show characters and events in an objective, almost factual way. Attempts to show characters and events in an objective, almost factual way.

Shows experiences Shows experiences of Civil War. A sight in camp in the daybreak gray and dim, As from my tent I emerge so early sleepless, As slow I walk in the cool fresh air the path near by the hospital tent, Three forms I see on stretchers lying, brought out there untended lying, Over each the blanket spread, ample brownish woolen blanket, Gray and heavy, folding, covering all. Curious I halt and silent stand, Then with light fingers I from the face of the nearest the first just life the blanket; Who are you elderly man so gaunt and grim, with well-gray’d hair, and flesh all sunken about the eyes? Who are you my dear comrade? Then to the second I step – and who are you my child and darling? Who are you sweet boy with cheeks yet blooming? Then to the third – a face nor child nor old, very calm, as of beautiful yellow-white irvory; Young man I think I know you – I think this face is the face of the Christ himself, Dead and divine and brother of all, and here again he lies. Walt Whitman, December 1862

Portrays frontier life. Portrays frontier life.

Portrays problems with cities, slums, and labor unions.

Realism finds meaning in the common place. Realism finds meaning in the common place.

Realistic writers can deal honestly with characters that Romantic writers either avoided or glossed over such as factory workers, bosses, politicians and gunfighters. Realistic writers can deal honestly with characters that Romantic writers either avoided or glossed over such as factory workers, bosses, politicians and gunfighters.

More than realism – naturalism shows the inescapable work through natural forces. More than realism – naturalism shows the inescapable work through natural forces.

People have no control over events (writers tended to be pessimistic) People have no control over events (writers tended to be pessimistic) Naturalist writer – Jack London Naturalist writer – Jack London

Destiny is decided by: Destiny is decided by: 1. heredity 2. environment 3. physical drives 4. economic circumstances

Also called Local Color Movement Also called Local Color Movement Writer Brett Harte is consider its founder. Writer Brett Harte is consider its founder.

Emphasis on specific geographic setting; can be sentimental/ unrealistic Emphasis on specific geographic setting; can be sentimental/ unrealistic Regional dialect (speech/ manners) Regional dialect (speech/ manners)

Portrays vivid descriptions of landscapes. Portrays vivid descriptions of landscapes. Seeks to capture essence of life in various regions of growing nation. Seeks to capture essence of life in various regions of growing nation.

Henry James looks Henry James looks at distinctions at distinctions in character in character motivation. motivation. Portrays social Portrays social and psychological situations. and psychological situations.