Literary realism

Definition

Literary realism is a movement that emerged in the mid-19th century, emphasizing the depiction of everyday life and ordinary characters in a truthful and unembellished manner. This style aims to represent life as it truly is, focusing on social issues and the complexities of human behavior without romanticizing or idealizing experiences. It serves as a counter to romanticism and often highlights the struggles of common people, making it relatable and grounded.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Literary realism emerged as a reaction against romanticism, focusing instead on depicting everyday life and societal issues.
2. Key authors associated with this movement include Charles Dickens and Émile Zola, who portrayed the struggles of the working class and social injustices.
3. Realist literature often features detailed descriptions of settings, characters, and events to create an authentic representation of life.
4. This movement influenced later literary movements, including modernism, by establishing a foundation for exploring complex human experiences.
5. Realism is characterized by its focus on psychological depth, offering insights into the motivations and inner lives of characters.

Review Questions

• How does literary realism differ from romanticism in its portrayal of characters and settings?
  • Literary realism differs from romanticism primarily in its commitment to representing life without embellishment. While romanticism often idealizes characters and settings, portraying them in exaggerated or fantastical ways, realism aims for authenticity. Realist authors present everyday individuals facing ordinary challenges in recognizable environments, emphasizing social issues rather than glorified experiences.
• In what ways did Charles Dickens utilize literary realism to address social issues of his time?
  • Charles Dickens used literary realism to highlight the harsh realities of Victorian society, particularly the struggles faced by the poor and working class. Through detailed character portrayals and vivid depictions of urban life, he tackled issues like child labor, poverty, and social inequality. His narratives often serve as both a reflection of societal norms and a critique of the systemic injustices present during his era.
• Evaluate how Émile Zola's approach to literary realism contributes to our understanding of naturalism within literature.
  • Émile Zola's approach to literary realism directly contributes to our understanding of naturalism by applying scientific observation to his character studies. Zola believed that environment and heredity shaped individuals' lives and choices, which he depicted through meticulous detail in his narratives. His work illustrates the interplay between external forces and personal fate, thus deepening the exploration of human experience within the realistic framework. This blending of realism with naturalistic elements showcases how literature can serve as both a reflection of reality and an analysis of broader societal influences.

Related terms

Naturalism:

An extension of realism that incorporates scientific principles and focuses on the influence of environment, heredity, and social conditions on human behavior.

Social Commentary: The act of using literature to critique societal norms, issues, and injustices, often a key component in realist works.

Character Development: The process by which a character is introduced, advanced, and possibly transformed throughout a narrative, crucial for creating believable and relatable figures in realism.