Realism

Definition

Realism is a literary movement that emerged in the mid-19th century, focusing on representing everyday life and society as it is, without idealization or romanticism. This movement aimed to portray the mundane and often harsh realities of life, emphasizing authenticity and detail in characters, settings, and events.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Realism emerged as a reaction against the romanticism of the early 19th century, focusing on ordinary characters and everyday situations.
2. Prominent realist authors include Gustave Flaubert, Leo Tolstoy, and Henry James, who sought to capture the complexities of human experience.
3. Realist literature often explores themes of social class, morality, and the human condition, highlighting the struggles of common people.
4. The use of detailed descriptions and careful attention to setting helps create an immersive world that reflects reality in realist works.
5. Realism laid the groundwork for later literary movements, including modernism and naturalism, influencing how stories are told in literature.

Review Questions

• How did realism differ from romanticism in its approach to character development and thematic focus?
  • Realism differs from romanticism primarily in its emphasis on depicting everyday life and ordinary characters rather than idealized or heroic figures. While romanticism often focuses on emotion, individualism, and nature, realism prioritizes authenticity and detail in its portrayal of social issues, class struggles, and the human condition. Realist authors strive for verisimilitude in their characters' motivations and actions, presenting them as products of their environment rather than larger-than-life figures.
• Discuss how realism incorporates social criticism into its narratives and the impact this has on reader perception.
  • Realism incorporates social criticism by addressing societal issues such as poverty, class disparity, and moral dilemmas within its narratives. This focus compels readers to confront the challenges faced by ordinary people and consider the broader implications of these issues in their own lives. By depicting characters grappling with real-world problems, realist literature encourages empathy and critical reflection on societal norms and injustices.
• Evaluate the significance of realism in shaping contemporary literature and its relevance to modern storytelling techniques.
  • Realism has played a crucial role in shaping contemporary literature by establishing standards for authentic character portrayal and immersive storytelling. Its focus on the intricacies of daily life influences modern authors who continue to explore complex human experiences within realistic settings. Additionally, realism's emphasis on verisimilitude has paved the way for diverse narrative techniques that reflect the multiplicity of human experience today, making it a foundational element in various genres of literature.

Related terms

Naturalism:

An extension of realism, naturalism emphasizes the influence of environment and heredity on human behavior, often depicting characters as products of their circumstances.

Verisimilitude: The quality of appearing true or real in literature, which is a key component of realism as it seeks to create a believable representation of life.

Social Criticism: A form of literary analysis that critiques society and its institutions, often associated with realist works that highlight social issues and injustices.