The Historical and Cultural Context of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Second Half of 19th CENTURY The Civil War Urbanization and Industrialization Increase of Democracy and Literacy Extreme contrasts between rich and poor Immigration Emerging Middle Class Upheaval and Social Change
What’s New? First mappings of the West First transcontinental railroad First Photography What might the effect of these changes be? Discuss with someone on the other side of you: 30 seconds
19th century Americans are self-conscious… They want to know what their new country looks like, and how the varied races of growing population live and talk Photography as a social mirror… Massive social changes reflected in literature & photography. 1861-65 - Mathew Brady, Alexander Gardner: honest photographic record of the Civil War. Photography, like literary Realism & Regionalism showed TRUTH.
Review: Romantic, Transcendentalist and Dark Romantic Literature Characters Message Plot Literary techniques
Effect of the Civil War Why would the Civil War have an effect on the themes, characters and plots of literature?
Realism – Prominent from 1860-1890 A faithful representation of reality in literature, also known as “verisimilitude.” Emphasis on development of believable characters. Written in natural vernacular, or dialect. Drew subject matter from “our experience” Focused on the common, the average, the probable Questions?
Regionalism - Prominent from 1865-1895 Arose from: Dual influence of Romanticism and Realism The Civil War and the building of a national identity An outgrowth of realism with more focus on a particular setting and its influence over characters Focused on: “local color.” Characters, dialect, customs, topography, and other features specific to a certain region (eg. the South) Questions?
Naturalism – Prominent 1880-1920’s Applied scientific principles of objectivity and detachment to the study of human beings. Influenced by Darwinism (natural selection) and psychology (Freud) Posited that men were governed by heredity and environment. Often depict man in conflict with nature, society, or himself. Questions?
Realist, Regionalist and Naturalist Writers Realist Writers Naturalists Mark Twain Stephen Crane William Dean Howells Ambrose Bierce Henry James Jack London Edgar Lee Masters Edwin Arlington Robinson Regionalist Writers Katherine Anne Porter Charlotte Perkins Gilman Kate Chopin—South Edith Wharton Mary E. Wilkins- Freeman—New England Mark Twain—West Willa Cather—Midwest