1. English 11 Unit 3 American Regionalism, Realism, and Naturalism

2. Historical Context The post-Civil War period
America was reunited and transformed
Writers worked to define America’s differing regions and come to terms with some harsh new realities
Romantic notions seem silly after a great war

3. Aftermath of The Civil War
The South was in ruins after The Civil War
Slavery was abolished, but freed African Americans lacked money, property, education, and opportunity
Many farms, factories, and plantations were destroyed
The government came up with a plan, known as reconstruction, to solve these problems

4. Reconstruction’s Failures and Successes
Reconstruction efforts did not go smoothly
The President and Congress clashed
Southern states resisted African Americans’ new rights
African Americans felt not enough was being done
Few Successes:
African Americans gained citizenship, protection under the law, and the right to vote
Confederate states returned to the Union
States were glad to be reunited but missed their regional identities (rise of regionalism)

5. Post-Civil War Changes
Transcontinental Railroad
Many people traveling West
Westward expansion seen in local color writing (Twain)
Railroad expanded industry
Cities grew dramatically, but most money was in the hands of only a few
Photos: Building the transcontinental railroad

6. The Gilded Age
After The Civil War, there was a time of excess and wealth for a large portion of Americans.
Mark Twain referred to this period as “the gilded age.”
Inventions:
Telephone
Model-T Ford
Light bulb (and hundreds of others – Edison)

7. The Have-Nots
While this period was great for some, it was not for others.
Native Americans and African Americans had a very hard time
Reconstruction’s failures
Segregationist Jim Crow laws
Many immigrants came to America hoping for a better life, and found themselves working long hours in sweat shops
Creation of labor unions
Many people felt held back by forces beyond their control
Led to rise of naturalism

8. What is Realism? A faithful representation of reality in literature
Emphasis on development of believable characters.
Written in natural vernacular, or dialect.
Prominent from

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

10. 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

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

12. Regionalist Writers Kate Chopin—South
Charlotte Perkins Gilman—New England
Mark Twain—West
Willa Cather— Midwest

13. 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

14. 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 victims of their circumstances
Often depict man in conflict with nature, society, or himself.
Prominent from (ish)

15. Naturalist Writers
Stephen Crane
Jack London
Edith Wharton

16. 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 (urban movement)
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

17. 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.