Realism

Definition

Realism is a literary and artistic movement that emerged in the 19th century, characterized by a focus on depicting everyday life and ordinary people with accuracy and detail. It seeks to represent reality as it is, avoiding romanticization and idealization, while often highlighting social issues and human experiences. This movement connects deeply with themes of individualism and personal experience, making it relevant to various cultural contexts.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Realism emerged as a response to the excesses of Romanticism, prioritizing a more truthful representation of everyday life over dramatic emotions.
2. Key realist authors like Gustave Flaubert, Henry James, and Anton Chekhov focused on character development and intricate plots reflecting societal issues.
3. Realist literature often employs a third-person narrative perspective to provide a more objective viewpoint on the characters and their circumstances.
4. The movement was influenced by advancements in science and philosophy during the 19th century, which encouraged a more analytical approach to human behavior and society.
5. Realism paved the way for later movements such as modernism and postmodernism by exploring themes of alienation, identity, and social change.

Review Questions

• How does realism differ from romanticism in its portrayal of characters and settings?
  • Realism differs from romanticism primarily in its approach to characters and settings. While romanticism often idealizes characters and portrays them in extraordinary situations with heightened emotions, realism focuses on ordinary people living in everyday situations. Realist writers emphasize authenticity by depicting characters with flaws and complexities that reflect real human experiences, rather than glorifying them or their circumstances.
• Discuss how the works of Dostoevsky exemplify the principles of realism through their character development and thematic concerns.
  • Dostoevsky's works exemplify realism through his deep psychological exploration of characters who grapple with moral dilemmas, existential crises, and societal pressures. His focus on characters like Raskolnikov in 'Crime and Punishment' reflects a realistic portrayal of the struggles individuals face in navigating their inner conflicts while also confronting broader social issues. This nuanced character development showcases how realism engages with complex human emotions and societal realities.
• Evaluate the impact of realism on contemporary literature, considering how its themes resonate in today's societal context.
  • Realism has had a lasting impact on contemporary literature by establishing a framework for addressing social issues through authentic representations of human experiences. Today's authors continue to draw from realist techniques to explore themes such as identity, inequality, and the complexities of modern life. By grounding narratives in reality and focusing on relatable characters, contemporary literature engages readers in meaningful dialogues about pressing societal concerns, echoing the realist tradition while adapting to modern contexts.

Related terms

Naturalism:

An extension of realism that emphasizes a more scientific and detached approach to literature, focusing on the influence of environment and heredity on human behavior.

Romanticism:

A literary movement that preceded realism, characterized by an emphasis on emotion, nature, and individualism, often idealizing the subject matter rather than presenting it in a realistic manner.

Social critique: A method of critique that seeks to identify and challenge social norms, injustices, and power structures, often employed by realist writers to bring attention to societal issues.