AMERICAN REALISM

THE CONCEPT OF AMERICA IDEALISTIC CONFIDENT SELF-RELIANT ROMANTIC –Beautiful, Spacious Skies, –Amber Waves of Grain, –Purple Mountain’s Majesty, –Fruited Plains

THE REALITY OF AMERICA Slavery Women could not vote No laws to govern child labor Massive poverty All-encompassing Warfare

Literature Begins to Reflect Reality This became known as Realism. Writers, poets and artists no longer wanted to write about the glory of nature and the optimism of mankind. Instead they wanted to expose the trials, struggles and tribulations of the common man.

Elements of Realism Attempted to examine the ‘common course of everyday life.’ Focused on –Everyday folks (workers, soldiers etc.) –Common settings (factories, farmlands etc.) –Ways that people lived, talked, and dressed –What they felt and talked about –Why they behave the way they do

Historical Events Contributing to this movement in literature 1859: Charles Darwin publishes The Origin of Species introducing theory of evolution to a wide audience 1861: Civil War begins 1863: Emancipation Proclamation 1865: Confederate Surrender ends Civil War 1876: 1 st Telephone (Bell) 1878: 1 st Phonograph (Edison) 1891: Basketball invented 1891

19 th Century Literature: REALISM Subject is often complex, ethical choices character(s) face Dialect—“real” language (vernacular) Objective tone Realistic authors: –Mark Twain –Henry James

19 th Century Literature: REGIONALISM (Local Color) A “branch” of Realism focused on characters, dialect, customs, and other features particular to a specific region Uses realistic depiction of speech patterns, manners, and behavior BUT less realistic depictions of character and social environment

19 th Century Literature: REGIONALISM (Local Color) Traits –Narrator bridge between rural characters in the story and urban audience/readers educated observer who is at a sympathetic, yet ironic distance Often presented as a frame story or frame narrative (story inside another story)

19 th Century Literature: REGIONALISM (Local Color) Traits –Theme(s) Celebrate community/Nostalgia for the past/Distrust of change “intrusion of the outsider”/rural v. city Regionalist writers: –Mark Twain –Kate Chopin

19 th Century Literature: NATURALISM Uses Realism for a PURPOSE (focused realism) Technique and belief that human behavior is determined by forces beyond the individual’s power, esp. biology (heredity) & environment Humans live like “animals”—by instinct: humans are unable to control their own destinies, but are subject to the natural laws of the universe

19 th Century Literature: NATURALISM Uses realism as a “technique” to portray details—purpose is to show that man is governed by heredity and environment, so they carefully select which realistic details to show Dissects human behavior as objectively as possible like biologist dissects a frog Juxtaposes human pretensions with the indifference of the universe (nature)— IRONY

19 th Century Literature: NATURALISM Traits –Theme(s) Survival; determinism Brute within man Warring, internal passions (man v. self) Struggling against indifferent universe (man v. nature) Struggle to maintain civility despite pressures to release “brute” Free will as an illusion

Common Character Archetypes Caretaker- A character that consistently supports, protects and provides for other characters who are unable to look after themselves. Earth Mother- A character that is closely associated with both Nature and Fertility. Faithful Companion- A secondary character that offers constant friendship and support for a major character such as a Hero or Heroine. Hero - A character that exists to battle against a villain on the side of good and on the behalf of society. Innocent- A character that lacks experience and exemplifies virtue and purity. Misfit- A character that does not feel any connection with a group or any affinity for its members and personally rejects them. Orphan- A character that has been abandoned by his or her family.

Archetypes Cont’d Outsider/Outcast- A character that is not accepted by a group or society because of physical or personal differences. Rebel- A character that radically rejects the values of a society and the restrictions placed on him or her. Rugged Individualist- A character that relies solely on his or her personal strengths and merits to survive. Shrew- A female character that will not conform to the demands of society and scolds or quarrels constantly. Trickster- A character that cons, deceives, swindles or cheats other characters. Villain- An evil character who exists to cause disorder, confusion and mayhem on society and to battle against a hero.

Themes in American Realism Alienation/ isolation- Characters feel removed or rejected by society. Disillusionment with life- Characters are distracted and disgusted by what they encounter in society, their friends or their family. Loss of innocence- Characters leave behind their child- like virtue and purity as a result of being exposed to the brutal reality of day to day living. Power of nature- Characters are exposed to and conflict with the intense force of elements of the natural world that are beyond their ability to control. Struggle with self- Characters in a narrative must contend with personal internal feelings or demons that often contradict each other or conflict with what seems most appropriate. Survival of the fittest- Weaker, less intelligent characters are less likely to endure than stronger, smarter characters.