1. Realism & Naturalism 1890 - 1914 Ms. Howell-Jones

2. Realism b Interest only in the actual, not in the ideal or the abstract

3. Naturalism b Humans have evolved over large periods of time

4. Darwinism b A theory explaining the origin & continued existence of animals by means of natural selection

5. Realism to Naturalism b Shift from realism to naturalism b Naturalism appealed to young writers

6. Historical Context b Industrialization continued to transform America b Steam engine - image of this age

7. Historical Context b Technological change = progress b Railroads and telephones

8. Historical Context b Gap widened between rich and poor b Wealth was concentrated

9. Historical Context b Ghettos grew due to city government corruption b Reform = exposure

10. Historical Context b Exposure to public press, government investigations b New laws & regulations

11. Historical Context b Exposure added by photography b Monopoly, tycoon, robber baron

12. Historical Context b Plutocracy - ruling class based on wealth b Muckrakers -expose corruption (journalists)

13. Historical Context b Negatives - abuses of child labor and discrimination against women especially

14. Historical Context b Overall mood was positive however b U.S. became a world power (less imperialistic)

15. Literary Context b Literature became mixed with sociology, psychology, scientific philosophies, etc.

16. Literary Context b Popularity of Utopian novels b Most impact came from natural science

17. Literary Context b Special concern with human character b New metaphors

18. Literary Context b Society as a predatory state of nature b Struggle between society & social forces

19. Literary Context b Heredity vs. environment b Free will = illusion

20. Literary Context b Society is a laboratory for the scientific study of human behavior