Realism

Definition

Realism is a movement in art and literature that aims to represent subjects as they are in everyday life, without embellishment or idealization. This approach emphasizes authenticity and aims to portray the true nature of people and their environments, often focusing on the struggles of ordinary individuals. It connects deeply with design elements like set, costume, lighting, and sound to create a believable world, as well as with conventions that differentiate between realistic and non-realistic staging.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Realism emerged in the mid-19th century as a reaction against romanticism, emphasizing a focus on everyday subjects instead of idealized figures.
2. In set design for realism, designers strive to create authentic environments that reflect the specific time period and social conditions of the characters.
3. Costumes in realistic productions are crafted to reflect the actual clothing styles of the time, ensuring that characters appear believable to the audience.
4. Lighting plays a crucial role in realism, as it is used to mimic natural light sources, enhancing the sense of authenticity in the production.
5. Sound design in realistic theatre often incorporates everyday sounds to immerse the audience in a believable world, further supporting the narrative's authenticity.

Review Questions

• How does realism influence the design elements like set and costume in a theatrical production?
  • Realism profoundly impacts design elements by demanding that sets and costumes authentically reflect the world of the characters. Set designers aim to recreate environments that are true to life, including accurate details that match the time period. Similarly, costumes are designed not just for aesthetics but also to reflect how real people would dress in those circumstances. This focus on authenticity helps transport the audience into the characters' lives, making their experiences feel more relatable and genuine.
• Discuss how conventions of realism differ from non-realism in staging performances.
  • In staging performances, conventions of realism focus on portraying life as it is, using naturalistic dialogue and movements, while non-realism often breaks these norms with stylized actions or abstract settings. Realistic staging seeks to create a familiar environment where audiences can connect with characters through relatable experiences. In contrast, non-realistic conventions may employ metaphorical spaces or exaggerated performances to evoke emotions or ideas rather than depict actual life. This fundamental difference shapes how stories are perceived and understood by audiences.
• Evaluate how realism's emphasis on everyday life influences audience engagement with theatrical performances.
  • Realism’s focus on depicting everyday life enhances audience engagement by allowing them to see reflections of their own experiences on stage. By presenting relatable struggles and emotions through authentic characters and settings, realism fosters empathy and connection. Audiences may find themselves more invested in the narrative because it mirrors their reality, making it easier to form emotional ties with the characters. This approach can lead to a deeper understanding of societal issues as portrayed through the lens of everyday existence, ultimately enriching the theatrical experience.

Related terms

naturalism:

A more extreme version of realism that incorporates scientific principles and emphasizes the role of environment and heredity in shaping human behavior.

verisimilitude:

The appearance of being true or real; a quality that realism strives for in its representation of life.

theatrical conventions: Established techniques and practices in theatre that guide how stories are told, which can either lean toward realism or non-realism.