1. 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.
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2. Realism
William Dean Howells said realism “is nothing more and nothing less than the truthful treatment of something.”

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

4. 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 19th century

5. 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.
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6. 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

7. 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.

8. Twain’s realism
Twain’s work was realistic in his use of colloquial and vernacular speech, including regional dialects, and his parade of characters from everyday life.

9. The picaresque novel
The picaresque novel (Spanish: "picaresca" from "pícaro" for "rogue" or "rascal") is a type of fiction which is usually satirical and depicts, in realistic and often humorous detail, the adventures of a roguish hero (picaro) of low social class who lives by his wits in a corrupt society.

10. Origin of picaresque novel
This style of novel originated in 16th century Spain and flourished throughout Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries. It continues to influence modern literature.

11. - The picaresque novel tends to be episodic and structureless.
- Romantic in the sense of being an adventure story, the picaresque novel nevertheless is strongly marked by realism in petty detail and in uninhibited expression.

12. 1) It chronicles a part of the whole of the life of a rogue
1) It chronicles a part of the whole of the life of a rogue. It is likely to be in the first person;
# 2) The chief figure is drawn from a low social level, is of loose character, and, if employed at all, does menial work;

13. # 3) The novel presents a series of episodes only slightly connected;
# 4) progress and development of character do not take place. The central figure starts as a picaro and ends as a picaro, manifesting the same qualities throughout. When change occurs, as it sometimes does, it is external, brought about by the picaro’s falling heir to a fortune or by marrying money.

14. # 5) The method is realistic
# 5) The method is realistic. Although the story may be romantic in itself, it is presented with a plainness of language and a vividness of detail such as only the realist is permitted;

15. # 6) thrown with people from every class and often from different parts of the world, the picaro serves them intimately in some lowly capacity and learns all their foibles and frailties. The picaresque novel may in this way be made to satirize social castes, national types, or ethnic peculiarities;

16. # 7) the hero usually stops just short of being an actual criminal
# 7) the hero usually stops just short of being an actual criminal. The line between crime and petty rascality is hazy, but somehow the picaro always manages to draw it. Carefree, amoral perhaps, the picaro avoids actual crime and turns from one peccadillo to disappear down the road in search of another.

17. Don Quixote
Miguel Cervantes’ Don Quixote is a famous example of a picaresque novel
Don Quixote by Pablo Picasso

18. The Don is an anti-hero(opposite of traditional hero): an old knight instead of a young one. He is poor. He reads book on knighthood and makes a fool of himself trying to imitate the heroes in those books.
His companion is not a noble squire but a simple peasant, Sancho Panza, who is the opposite of the Don. He is a realist. He hasn't read any books. The Don's adventures are absurd, lower-class parodies of the adventures of the nobility in the medieval romances.

19. Plaza de España , Madrid