Realism, Naturalism, and Modernism African American Literature

Realism & Naturalism Depicts life as accurately as possible

Characteristics of Realism Focuses on characters making ethical choices Gives characters in-depth psychological traits Events are plausible Comic, satiric, or matter-of-fact tone Language is not poetic—natural vernacular (language spoken by ordinary people) Characters exercise free will and are superior to their circumstances

Urban Realism A faithful, accurate portrayal of urban life Uncovers the “gritty” realities of urban living for black Americans

Characteristics of Naturalism Urban setting—environment affects and afflicts the character(s) *attention to setting* Low class or uneducated characters who cannot stand up against their circumstances Violence, determinism, survival= key themes Shows the idea of the “brute within” oneself who has emotions of pride, lust, greed—a desire to dominate – External pressures attempt to release this “brute” Characters attempt to exercise free will in a world where free will is an illusion

Richard Wright Classified as both naturalist and urban realist Said the writing of the Harlem Renaissance “went a-begging to white America...to show that the Negro was not inferior” Known for Native Son (1940) – Called a protest novel

Characteristics of Modernism Intentional break with tradition Against established religious, social, and political views Believes that “the world is what we say it is” No such thing as absolute truth Celebrates inner strength of the individual Concerned with the sub-concious