The Civil War and Postwar Period 1850–1900 The Rise of Realism The Civil War and Postwar Period 1850–1900

What Is Realism? Realism is a style of writing, developed in the nineteenth century, that attempts to depict life accurately without idealizing or romanticizing it. Copyright 2001, The Multimedia Library

Realism vs. Romanticism Emphasizes accuracy and objectivity Depicts common, everyday heroes Views the world scientifically Focuses on real-life situations ROMANTICISM Emphasizes imagination and emotion Depicts larger-than-life heroes Views the world poetically Focuses on exotic, supernatural, and imaginary worlds

What Caused the Rise of Realism? Several events and conditions led to the rise of realism. The Civil War Advances in Technology Advances in Science and Education Social Changes

The Civil War and Realism The Civil War was a major cause of the rise of realism in America. The four-year conflict destroyed cities, industries, and lives left bitter memories and economic desolation in the South Copyright 2001, The Multimedia Library

Technology and Realism Technological advances also contributed to the rise of realism in America. Photography allowed people to see real, sometimes dismaying, images of war and poverty. Telephones and coast-to-coast railways allowed more people than ever to hear about events that affected the nation.

Science, Education, and Realism Advances in psychology, biology, and geology contradicted long-held beliefs about the nature of humans, the world, and the universe. More people, especially women, minorities, and the poor, had access to an education and learned to read. Newspapers and the new mass-circulation magazines were widely read.

Social Changes and Realism In 1865 the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, outlawing slavery, was ratified. © Madison Bay Company

Social Changes and Realism Industrialization led to overpopulation and poverty in the cities. The agrarian economy of the South was devastated by the war and by the loss of slave labor. Many newly freed slaves and other Southerners moved to Northern cities looking for work.

Social Changes and Realism Industrialization led to overpopulation and poverty in the cities. Immigrants from strife-torn Europe arrived in great numbers. The Granger Collection, New York Northern cities grew quickly and without planning. Slums housed many of the new arrivals.

Realistic Literature Contains themes that center on contemporary society and on the lives of the middle and lower classes Describes the details, even when unpleasant, of everyday life Features characters drawn from the poor and outcast of society Avoids extravagant language in favor of simpler, everyday diction

Realistic Literature Tries to show real life without letting personal feelings or idealistic thoughts color the writing Brings science to the story to explain human behavior

Regionalism: American Realism Regionalism is literature that emphasizes a specific geographic setting and reproduces the speech, behavior, and attitudes of the people who live in that region. Regionalist writers differed from strict realists by portraying their characters in a somewhat sentimental fashion. Some important American regionalists are Sarah Orne Jewett, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Bret Harte, and Mark Twain.

Naturalism: One Step Further Naturalism is a nineteenth-century literary movement that was an extension of realism and that claimed to portray life exactly as it was. Naturalists relied heavily on the new fields of psychology and sociobiology argued that behavior was determined by heredity and environment and was beyond human control Important American naturalists include Stephen Crane, Theodore Dreiser, and Frank Norris.

A Harsh Reality A man said to the universe: “Sir, I exist!” “However,” replied the universe, “The fact has not created in me A sense of obligation.” from War Is Kind by Stephen Crane

What Have You Learned? 1. Regionalism describes the speech, behavior, and attitudes of the people in a particular geographic area. a. true b. false 2. Realistic novelists reject a. scientific explanations b. dialogue c. accurate detail d. glorious heroes 3. Naturalists try to describe people a. sentimentally b. idealistically c. objectively d. romantically

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