📔Intro to Comparative Literature Unit 8 – Realism & Naturalism: Portraying Society

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Realism depicts life, people, and society in an accurate, objective manner without idealization or romanticization
• Naturalism extends realism by emphasizing determinism, the idea that human actions and behaviors are shaped by heredity and environment
• Verisimilitude refers to the appearance of truth or reality in a work of fiction, a key goal of realist and naturalist writers
• Objectivity involves presenting characters and events without authorial judgment or intervention, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions
• Social determinism suggests that an individual's fate is largely determined by social and economic factors beyond their control
  • Includes the influence of heredity, environment, and social conditions on human behavior
• Slice-of-life storytelling presents a realistic, unembellished portrayal of everyday life and experiences
• Mundane subject matter focuses on the lives of ordinary people and commonplace events rather than exceptional or idealized characters and situations

Historical Context and Origins

• Realism emerged in the mid-19th century as a reaction against Romanticism and its emphasis on emotion, imagination, and idealization
• The Industrial Revolution and the rise of the middle class contributed to a growing interest in the lives and experiences of ordinary people
• Scientific advancements, such as Darwin's theory of evolution, influenced the deterministic worldview of naturalist writers
• The growth of journalism and the popularity of the novel format provided a platform for realistic and naturalistic storytelling
• Social and political changes, including the rise of socialism and the women's suffrage movement, inspired writers to address contemporary issues and inequalities
• Urbanization and the expansion of cities created new social realities and challenges that realist and naturalist writers sought to capture
• The influence of French realist writers, such as Honoré de Balzac and Gustave Flaubert, helped shape the development of realism in other countries

Major Authors and Works

• Honoré de Balzac (France): "The Human Comedy" series, including "Père Goriot" and "Eugénie Grandet"
• Gustave Flaubert (France): "Madame Bovary," a landmark work of realism that depicts the life of a dissatisfied provincial housewife
• Leo Tolstoy (Russia): "War and Peace" and "Anna Karenina," epic novels that explore the lives and relationships of aristocratic families
• Fyodor Dostoevsky (Russia): "Crime and Punishment" and "The Brothers Karamazov," psychological novels that delve into the minds of complex characters
• Émile Zola (France): "Germinal" and "Nana," naturalist works that depict the harsh realities of working-class life and the influence of heredity and environment
• Theodore Dreiser (United States): "Sister Carrie" and "An American Tragedy," naturalist novels that explore the pursuit of success and the consequences of social ambition
• George Eliot (United Kingdom): "Middlemarch," a realist masterpiece that portrays the lives and relationships of characters in a provincial town

Literary Techniques and Styles

• Detailed, objective descriptions of characters, settings, and events to create a sense of authenticity and verisimilitude
• Use of vernacular language and regional dialects to capture the speech patterns and idioms of different social classes and communities
• Third-person narration with limited omniscience, allowing readers to observe characters' actions and thoughts without authorial intrusion
• Chronological, linear plotlines that follow the cause-and-effect relationships of events and character development
• Inclusion of mundane, everyday details and activities to enhance the realism of the narrative
• Avoidance of melodrama, sentimentality, and idealization in favor of a more sober, matter-of-fact tone
• Naturalist works often employ a more deterministic approach, emphasizing the influence of heredity, environment, and social conditions on characters' lives
  • Use of symbolism and imagery to underscore the deterministic forces at play

Themes and Social Commentary

• Examination of the lives and struggles of ordinary people, particularly those from the middle and working classes
• Exploration of social inequalities, class divisions, and the impact of industrialization and urbanization on individuals and communities
• Critique of societal norms, conventions, and institutions that perpetuate injustice or limit individual freedom
• Portrayal of the psychological and emotional lives of characters, including their inner conflicts, desires, and moral dilemmas
• Emphasis on the influence of heredity, environment, and social conditions on human behavior and destiny
• Commentary on gender roles, marriage, and the status of women in society
• Depiction of the consequences of social ambition, materialism, and the pursuit of success in a rapidly changing world
• Naturalist works often explore the darker aspects of human nature, including violence, addiction, and moral corruption

Comparison with Other Literary Movements

• Realism and naturalism rejected the idealization and emotionalism of Romanticism, focusing instead on objective, unvarnished portrayals of reality
• In contrast to the symbolic and allegorical nature of earlier literary movements, realism and naturalism sought to depict life as it was, without embellishment
• Realist and naturalist writers often addressed contemporary social and political issues more directly than their predecessors
• While realism aimed to depict reality objectively, naturalism took a more deterministic approach, emphasizing the influence of external forces on human behavior
• Modernist literature, which emerged in the early 20th century, built upon the foundations of realism and naturalism but experimented with new forms and techniques
  • Stream of consciousness, fragmentation, and subjectivity became more prominent in modernist works
• Postmodernist literature, in turn, challenged the assumptions of realism and naturalism, often employing irony, metafiction, and a more skeptical view of objective reality

Impact on Literature and Culture

• Realism and naturalism helped to democratize literature by focusing on the lives and experiences of ordinary people
• The emphasis on social issues and inequalities in realist and naturalist works contributed to a growing awareness of societal problems and the need for reform
• The objective, unvarnished portrayal of reality in these literary movements influenced the development of journalism and documentary filmmaking
• Realist and naturalist techniques, such as detailed description and vernacular language, became important tools for writers seeking to capture the complexities of modern life
• The psychological depth and moral ambiguity of many realist and naturalist characters helped to pave the way for more complex and nuanced characterization in later literature
• The legacy of realism and naturalism can be seen in the works of numerous 20th and 21st-century writers, from John Steinbeck and Richard Wright to Zadie Smith and Junot Díaz
• The influence of these literary movements extends beyond literature, informing the development of realist and naturalist styles in theater, visual art, and film

Critical Analysis and Interpretation

• Realist and naturalist works invite readers to consider the social, economic, and political forces that shape individual lives and communities
• The objective, unvarnished portrayal of reality in these works can be seen as a form of social criticism, exposing the harsh realities and inequalities of modern life
• The deterministic worldview of naturalist writers raises questions about free will, personal responsibility, and the possibility of social change
• The psychological depth and moral ambiguity of many realist and naturalist characters challenge readers to confront the complexities of human nature and the human condition
• The emphasis on ordinary people and everyday life in these literary movements can be interpreted as a democratizing force, asserting the inherent value and dignity of all individuals
• The critique of societal norms and institutions in realist and naturalist works invites readers to question the status quo and consider alternative ways of organizing society
• The legacy of realism and naturalism continues to inform critical debates about the role of literature in representing and shaping social reality
  • Contemporary scholars and critics often draw upon the insights and techniques of these literary movements to analyze and interpret works across various genres and media