Realism Notes How does it compare to Romanticism??

Vocabulary Note: Most of these ideas were a result of what people saw/felt due to the Civil war social justice The principle of moral rightness; equity within society disillusionment to free from illusion; to lose naive faith and trust regionalism Emphasizes a specific geographic setting and makes use of speech and manners of the people naturalism dissect human behavior like a scientist; life as a grim losing battle based on instinct; no control of destiny

Historical Background Civil War to before WWI Civil War begins in 1861 Civil War begins in 1861 First war in Original Colonies since Revolution First war in Original Colonies since Revolution Especially deadly, bloody, and costly Especially deadly, bloody, and costly Civil War Statistics: Civil War Statistics: 30% casualty rates 30% casualty rates 700,000 died 700,000 died 31 million total pop. = 3.2% of pop. killed 31 million total pop. = 3.2% of pop. killed Compare to WWII: Compare to WWII: 10% casualty rates 10% casualty rates 413,000 killed 413,000 killed 132 million total pop =.32% of pop. killed 132 million total pop =.32% of pop. killed

Historical Background Post War – Gilded Age Post War – Gilded Age Huge inequities of wealth Huge inequities of wealth Business makes huge profits Business makes huge profits Workers make little, though Workers make little, though Fueled by 2nd Industrial Revolution Fueled by 2nd Industrial Revolution Electricity, Steel, Oil Electricity, Steel, Oil Frontier Closes Frontier Closes Statehood for California and Oregon by the start of Civil War Statehood for California and Oregon by the start of Civil War Statehood for lower 48 by 1914 Statehood for lower 48 by 1914 Frontier is closed! Frontier is closed! Focus on settling west of Mississippi Focus on settling west of Mississippi

Historical Background City Life SUCKS! City Life SUCKS! Rapid Urbanization of cities Rapid Urbanization of cities Factories replace farmland Factories replace farmland Americans move to cities where there are jobs Americans move to cities where there are jobs Jobs = “dead end” or factory Jobs = “dead end” or factory Poor Housing (slums) Poor Housing (slums) Multiple families in one home Multiple families in one home Poor ventilation, sanitation, high fire risk Poor ventilation, sanitation, high fire risk Crime skyrockets!! Crime skyrockets!! Mobs and gangs, corrupt politicians, prostitution Mobs and gangs, corrupt politicians, prostitution Sense of being TRAPPED within the city!!! Sense of being TRAPPED within the city!!!

Historical Background Western Homesteading Western Homesteading At times violent At times violent Settling former Indian land Settling former Indian land Battle of Little Bighorn Battle of Little Bighorn Massacre at Wounded Knee Massacre at Wounded Knee Frontier vanishing Frontier vanishing

Themes/Beliefs Realism Realism Grew out of Regionalism Grew out of Regionalism Writing that was authentic in setting, language, customs Writing that was authentic in setting, language, customs A literary quest to tell the truth of a situation in as accurate manner as possible A literary quest to tell the truth of a situation in as accurate manner as possible Romantics were idealistic and used imagination to reveal truths that go beyond what could happen realistically Romantics were idealistic and used imagination to reveal truths that go beyond what could happen realistically Realists wanted to show everyone exactly what was going on to reveal truths Realists wanted to show everyone exactly what was going on to reveal truths

Themes/Beliefs Realism (continued) Realism (continued) Desire to explain / capture everyday lives Desire to explain / capture everyday lives Growing interest in Sociology and Psychology Growing interest in Sociology and Psychology Focus on social conditions and human motivation Focus on social conditions and human motivation Human Motivation Human Motivation Examined people’s choices in stressed situations Examined people’s choices in stressed situations Examined what people would do when confronting different societies Examined what people would do when confronting different societies

Themes/Beliefs Naturalism (Social Conditions) Naturalism (Social Conditions) Belief that circumstances will dictate your life Belief that circumstances will dictate your life Very pessimistic Very pessimistic People trapped by surroundings People trapped by surroundings Regionalism (Physical Conditions) Regionalism (Physical Conditions) Writing that was authentic in setting, language, customs Writing that was authentic in setting, language, customs Using the speech and manners of the people Using the speech and manners of the people Mark Twain: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Mark Twain: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn People: morally rotten; Location: physically beautiful People: morally rotten; Location: physically beautiful

Form & Style Nonfiction: Nonfiction: Investigative journaling Investigative journaling insane asylums, battles, etc. insane asylums, battles, etc. Fiction: Fiction: Realistic, accurate as possible Realistic, accurate as possible Poetry: Poetry: Realistic, vivid imagery and topics Realistic, vivid imagery and topics

Essential Questions How does society define humans (negatively and positively) and do individuals have a choice to break free of these impressions? How does society trap us? How does it free us? Do you have a responsibility to bring about social justice? How does the Realist point-of-view contrast to that of the Romantic? Rational? Puritan?

Connections Do we see similar Realist beliefs and themes today? How? Why? Why/not? What writing, film, music, etc. today has a similar form or style to Realism? Does this connect with any of your other classes? Studies? How?