1. Realism

2. Philosophical Connection
Pragmatism
Pragmatism is based on the premise that the human capability to theorize is necessary for intelligent practice. Theory and practice are not separate spheres; rather, theories and distinctions are tools or maps for finding our way in the world. As John Dewey put it, there is no question of theory versus practice, but rather of intelligent practice versus uninformed practice.
Therefore, Truth is verifiable to the extent that thoughts and statements correspond with actual things, as well as the extent to which they "hang together," or cohere, as pieces of a puzzle might fit together; these are in turn verified by the observed results of the application of an idea to actual practice.
(Wikipedia put it this way…thanks Wikipedia, that makes sense!).

3. Realism
“Realism is nothing more and nothing less than the truthful treatment of material.”
William Dean Howells

4. Realism Verisimilitude
The sense that what one reads is "real," or at least realistic and believable.

5. Realism
A literary term applied to literature that aims at the actualities of life, free from subjective prejudice, idealism, or Romantic inclination

6. Realism Basic Principles: Finds meaning in the commonplace
Presents a “slice of life” view
Depicts life accurately and faithfully
Faces the hardships/the harsh realities of life
Makes characters more important than plot
Emphasizes morality, often self-realized
Examines idealism while it attacks Romanticism

7. Realism Characteristics of Realistic Writing: Purpose is to entertain
Pragmatic, relativistic, democratic, experimental
Subject matter is drawn from experience, from the actual rather than the fanciful
Puts emphasis on scenic presentations, de-emphasizing authorial comment and evaluation
Objects to omniscient point of view
Controls symbolism—images are what matters

8. Realism
Regionalism
Naturalism
Local Color

9. Variations of Realism Regionalism
Realistic literature that focuses on a geographical area or an era of time
Concerned with the distinct culture of that area or time period
Focuses on customs, dialects,
costumes, landscapes, beliefs, history
Often, more serious than local color, presenting a
deeper sociological and/or anthropological treatment

10. Local Color Variations of Realism
“In local-color literature, one finds the dual influence of romanticism and realism[ . . .] the author looks away from ordinary life to distant lands, strange customs, or exotic scene, but retains through minute detail a sense of fidelity and accuracy of description”
Oxford Companion to American Literature

11. Variations of Realism Local Color
Especially popular after the Civil War
Concerned with setting and character
Settings are often remote and inaccessible
Settings are often integral to the story, almost a character
Characters often represent a group rather than individuals
Characters are marked by dialect, by “old ways,” and by personality traits central to a region

12. Variations of Realism Local Color Narrator is important to story
Typically educated observer who “learns” something
Sometimes distant from other characters/sometimes sympathetic
Serves as a “mediator” between the rural fold of the tale and the urban audience addressed
Focuses on customs, dialects, costumes, landscapes, and other peculiarities, resulting in varied themes
Celebration of community and acceptance
Nostalgia for an “always golden” past
Tension or conflict between urban ways and old-fashioned rural values, symbolized by the intrusion of an outsider who seeks something from the community

13. Regionalism/Local Color
Regionalism incorporates the broader concept of sectional differences
Local Color demonstrates the exploitation of and condescension toward subjects

14. Variations of Realism Naturalism
Realistic literature that aims at a detached, scientific objectivity in the treatment of natural man
Explores the influence/control of forces in a person’s life: nature, instinct, heredity, environment, physical drive, economic circumstances, chance
Subject matter deals with raw and unpleasant experiences which reduce characters to degrading behavior to survive
Draws character from middle or lower classes: poor, unsophisticated, Uneducated…
Plots put seemingly unheroic characters in desperate situations to show their struggle, affirming their individuality and making them heroic in their maintaining their dignity
Plots suggest that life on the lowest level is not simple

15. Realism
Fiction is generally considered best suited form for Realism, but
Realism is not limited to one genre.
Realism greatly affected the rise of the
short story in American literature.

16. The Short Story

17. Setting-where the story happens
Geographical location
Time period
Socio-economic characteristics
Specific building, room, and so forth

18. Characters-the people, or stuff acting as people
Round-convincing, true to life, different and sometimes contradictory personality traits
Flat-stereotyped, shallow, often symbolic. Has one or two personality traits

19. Character-continued
Dynamic- undergo change or development, often because something happens directly to them
Static-do not change during the story

20. Character-continued Protagonist- Main character, often the hero
Antagonist-force (person or sometimes symbolically) that opposes the protagonist

21. Methods of Characterization
Direct- author develops the personality by direct statements
Indirect-reveals character through:
Characters thoughts, words or actions
The comments of other characters
The characters physical appearance

22. Plot-The “stuff” that happens
Opening Action
Rising Action
Climax
Falling Action
Resolution
Plot Development:

23. Conflict Human v Human Human v Environment (nature/fate)
Human v Society
Human v Self
Human v Technology

24. Point of View
Omniscient-author is telling the story, normally can “read thoughts”
Limited omniscient-3rd person, told from character in the story
First person-the “I” is a main character in the story

25. Theme
General meaning, thoughts about life the story is trying to convey AKA-the moral of the story.

26. Structure
Chronological
Flashback
Circular or Anticipatory
Panel

27. Other fun stuff to watch for:
Metaphors
Similes
*Symbolism*
Allusions
Imagery
Foreshadowing
Irony
Mood
Tone