1. American Regionalism, Realism, and Naturalism
(ish)

2. Why did Realism develop?
Impact of the Civil War
The urbanization and industrialization of Increasing rates of democracy and literacy
The emerging middle class
Upheaval and social change in the latter half of the 19th century

3. Intellectual Revolution: Changes in Thinking brought about by Changes in Society
Changes in science
Changes in psychology
Changes in philosophy

4. Science: Charles Darwin
Published The Origin of Species,
Hypothesized that man is the product of evolution,
Man is special not because God created him in His image,
but because man had successfully adapted to changing environmental conditions
and had passed on his survival-making characteristics to his progeny.

5. Psychology: Sigmund Freud
Believed that the mind could be understood in terms of repressed urges, usually sexual;
Theorized an unconscious system of ideas that governs human reactions and response;
Id, Ego, and Super-ego

6. Philosophy: Karl Marx
Explained human history as the result of class struggles;
Human identity is defined by social context;
It is human nature to transform nature.

7. 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.

8. Characteristics of Realism
Reaction against Romanticism and Neoclassicism
Factual is more important than the intellectual or the emotional  
Treats nature objectively
Tells the stories of everyday people
Use of details more important than plot
In diction, seeks to use natural language
Atheistic
Life is driven by fate

9. 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

10. 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.

11. Why did Naturalism develop?
The swell of immigrants in the latter half of the 19th 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

12. What is Naturalism?
Applied scientific principles of objectivity and detachment to the study of human beings.
Influenced by Darwinism (natural selection) and psychology (Freud)
Posited that men were governed by heredity and environment.
Often depict man in conflict with nature, society, or himself.

13. Distinctions of Naturalism
Views life from a deterministic, mechanistic point of view.
Makes people the subjects of scientific case studies.
Tone is often coldly scientific.
Uses great masses of details; their informal arrangement reflects the chaotic state of society and nature.
In diction, sometimes seems to seek out the ugly word for its own sake.
Likely to present nature as chaotic.
Studies society dispassionately to correct the evils found there.
Drops artificial concepts of plot and action for a "slice of life."
Main characters are usually low on the social scale; often morally frail

14. 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.

15. Writers
Jack London
Kate Chopin
Bret Harte
Mark Twain