American Regionalism, Realism, and Naturalism (ish)

What is Realism? A faithful representation of reality in literature, also known as “verisimilitude.” Emphasis on development of believable characters. Written in natural vernacular, or dialect. Prominent from

Realist Writers Mark Twain William Dean Howells Henry James Edgar Lee Masters

Why did Realism develop? The Civil War The urbanization and industrialization of America As a reaction to Romanticism Increasing rates of democracy and literacy The emerging middle class Upheaval and social change in the latter half of the 19 th century

What is Regionalism? Often called “local color.” Focuses on characters, dialect, customs, topography, and other features specific to a certain region (eg. the South) Coincided with Realism and sharing many of the same traits. Prominent from

Regionalist Writers Kate Chopin— South Mary E. Wilkins- Freeman—New England Mark Twain—West Willa Cather— Midwest

Why did Regionalism develop? 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

What is Naturalism? Applied scientific principles of objectivity and detachment to the study of human beings. Influenced by Darwinism (natural selection) and psychology (Freud) Often depict man in conflict with nature, society, or himself. Prominent from (ish)

What is Naturalism? Naturalism denies religion as a motivating fore in the world and instead perceives the universe as a blind machine. This results in a bleak, realistic depiction of lower-class life. To the naturalists, people are human insects, squished on the windshield of life by forces they cannot understand, much less control. Life is a wilderness and people fight tooth and nail for survival.

What is Naturalism? The abuses of the Industrial Revolution, combined with Darwin’s theories of natural selection and survival of the fittest, convinced these writers that people are mere playthings in a cold, cruel universe.

What is Naturalism? The naturalists belied that… An individual's life is determined by environment, heredity, and chance Conditions, not people, are at fault for the way things turn out. As a result of some crisis, the veneer of civilization can be stripped away, leaving us with the animal within. Survival of the fittest and natural selection govern people as well as nature. They took a scientific or objective approach to their material.

What is Naturalism? Let’s Make Some Connections: A romanticist would say: “isn’t Nature glorious?” A realist would say: “That’s the way the cookie crumbles.” A naturalist would say: “He was fated to dies this way-that it’s the inescapable effects of the man’s environment and heredity.

Naturalist Writers Stephen Crane Ambrose Bierce Jack London Edwin Arlington Robinson Katherine Anne Porter Charlotte Perkins Gilman Edith Wharton

Why did Naturalism develop? The swell of immigrants in the latter half of the 19 th century, which led to a larger lower class and increased poverty in the cities The prominence of psychology and the theories of Sigmund Freud Pessimism in the wake of the Civil War and Reconstruction Publication of Charles Darwin’s Origin of the Species

Points to Remember… Realism, Regionalism, and Naturalism are intertwined and connected. Their influence has dominated most literature created since 1920, though the movement itself is dated to roughly that point. They are truly American modes of writing.