After the Romanticism and Rationalism periods, a more comprehensive and realistic style of writing was introduced. Realism is broadly defined as "the faithful representation of reality" and was practiced by many between approximately 1860 and 1890 (Campbell). Unlike the bare facts of Rationalism and the dreamy, ideal qualities of Romanticism, Realism is more detailed and practical without shying away from the true characteristics of the time period.
Events in Realism works are realistic and entirely plausible, and the speech was not poetic, but common and matter of fact instead. In Realism, the author's main goal is to depict life as it actually is or was, not as how they think it could have been or could be (Werlock). In works such as "An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge" by Ambrose Bierce, the ideal ending usually does not happen like it would in Romanticism. While the main character imagined many creative ways to get out of the deadly situation he was in, the realistic but tragic thing happened and he was killed. It might have made a better story for the main character to have pulled off a heroic stunt and gotten away, but that would not be at all realistic and therefore would not have been Realism.
"The American Dream" during this time of Realism was not so different than from other times. As Industrialization took off, it seemed easy to have a business and make plenty of money for yourself. However, there were also the poor working class and immigrants that were not so well off. The "self made man" was seen as a hero, able to bring himself up from next to nothing and become a tycoon of business (Scropos).
The writing of this style was completely devoted to accurately portraying American life as it truly was, especially after the Civil War and Reconstruction as American life was changing rapidly. This time period greatly impacted the writing styles because things were no longer happy and ideal in the country, and that was reflected in stories and style. Elements of character were considered far more important than the action or plot, and great detail is given about the choices that characters have to make, especially ethical ones (Campbell).
Realism also places emphasis on existence and independence, looking for practical and realistic reasons for choices and events like Rationalism did ("Realism"). However, Realism's purpose differs from Rationalism because it is more focused on fiction than science. Plausibility and possibility are more important than scientific fact.
Practitioners of Realism include Mark Twain, William Dean Howells, Rebecca Harding Davis, and Henry James (Campbell). Realism also branches out in several other categories, such as Regionalism and Naturalism.
Campbell, Donna M. "Realism in American Literature, 1860-1890." Literary Movements. Dept. of English, Washington State University. Web 21 March 2010.Events in Realism works are realistic and entirely plausible, and the speech was not poetic, but common and matter of fact instead. In Realism, the author's main goal is to depict life as it actually is or was, not as how they think it could have been or could be (Werlock). In works such as "An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge" by Ambrose Bierce, the ideal ending usually does not happen like it would in Romanticism. While the main character imagined many creative ways to get out of the deadly situation he was in, the realistic but tragic thing happened and he was killed. It might have made a better story for the main character to have pulled off a heroic stunt and gotten away, but that would not be at all realistic and therefore would not have been Realism.
"The American Dream" during this time of Realism was not so different than from other times. As Industrialization took off, it seemed easy to have a business and make plenty of money for yourself. However, there were also the poor working class and immigrants that were not so well off. The "self made man" was seen as a hero, able to bring himself up from next to nothing and become a tycoon of business (Scropos).
The writing of this style was completely devoted to accurately portraying American life as it truly was, especially after the Civil War and Reconstruction as American life was changing rapidly. This time period greatly impacted the writing styles because things were no longer happy and ideal in the country, and that was reflected in stories and style. Elements of character were considered far more important than the action or plot, and great detail is given about the choices that characters have to make, especially ethical ones (Campbell).
Realism also places emphasis on existence and independence, looking for practical and realistic reasons for choices and events like Rationalism did ("Realism"). However, Realism's purpose differs from Rationalism because it is more focused on fiction than science. Plausibility and possibility are more important than scientific fact.
Practitioners of Realism include Mark Twain, William Dean Howells, Rebecca Harding Davis, and Henry James (Campbell). Realism also branches out in several other categories, such as Regionalism and Naturalism.
http://www.wsu.edu/~campbelld/amlit/realism.htm
"Realism." Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Web. 28 Jan 2011.
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/realism/
Scropos, Lee. "Industrialization." AP American History. Pleasant Plains High School, Room 32, Pleasant Plains. 21 Jan 2011. Lecture.
Werlock, Abby H. P. "realism." The Facts On File Companion to the American Short Story, Second Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2009. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc.
http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= Gamshrtsty0575&SingleRecord=True (accessed January 28, 2011).
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