Defining Realism & Naturalism1820-1920

by Krystal dC, Andrew M, Lauren R. & Arielle V.

Bell Work

● Read and annotate Sterling’s poem

★ What is it about?★ What significant truth does is communicate?

What literary era do you think this poem represents?

Why?

Historical Parallels● Revolutions for political, social, and

economic reform● Technology advanced with industry &

trade● Rejection of Romantic idealism● Development of science

● What human attitudes did these historical movements express?

Tenet 1:Character is greater than action and

plot.

● SHIFT: plot > character reveal the struggles real people have

Henrik IbsenIn A Doll’s House, Mrs. Linde’s character represents a stereotypical role of women:

“I only feel my life unspeakably empty. No one to live for anymore.” (Ibsen 1.143)

Tenet 2:Importance of class and social

standing.

● SHIFT: perfect characters differences between actual people in each social class

Stephen CraneIn Maggie: A Girl of the Streets (1893), Maggie’s social class is compared to Pete, a man of a higher class:

“..His blue double-breasted coat, edged with black braid, buttoned close to a red puff tie, and his patent-leather shoes, looked like murder-fitted weapons. His mannerisms stamped him as a man who had a correct sense of his personal superiority.” (Crane 14)

Tenet 3:Limited ability of humans to impose

their will upon their own destiny.

● SHIFT: imagination actual destiny

Stephen CraneIn Maggie, A Girl of the Streets (1893), Maggie’s destiny is influenced by poverty and her family life: “The woman screamed and shook her fists before her husband’s eyes. The rough yellow of her face and neck flared suddenly crimson. She began to howl” ( Crane 9)

Tenet 4:Objectivity in presentation augments

considerably; very analytical.

● SHIFT: plot contains unusual events plot is developed to be realistic for ordinary people

Stephen CraneIn Maggie: A Girl of the Streets (1893), Maggie’s poverty and family life influences her to be with Pete:

“To her the earth was composed of hardships and insults. She felt instant admiration for a man who openly defied it. She thought that if the grim angel of death should clutch his heart, Pete would shrug his shoulders and say, "Oh, ev'ryt'ing goes." (Crane

Tenet 5:Emphasis on how economic and social forces determine human behaviour (Social Darwinism).

● SHIFT: Social concerns revealing actual stories of concerns

Frank NorrisIn McTeague (1899), greed is revealed as an example of social darwinism throughout the characters:"She don't care if I get wet and get a cold and die. No, she don't, as long as she's warm and got her

money.” ( Norris 40 )

Tenet 6:Natural vernacular and plausibility

of events, i.e. scientific method.

● SHIFT: fictional setting/event vs. real setting/event

Stephen CraneThroughout The Red Badge of Courage (1895), Crane displays the realistic events happening during war: “The captain of the youth's company had been killed in an early part of the action. His body lay stretched out in the position of a tired man resting, but upon his face there was an astonished and sorrowful look, as if he thought some friend had done him an ill turn. The babbling man was grazed by a shot that made the blood stream widely down his face. He clapped both hands to his head. “Oh!” he said, and ran. Another grunted suddenly as if a club had struck him in the stomach.” (Crane 25)

Tenet 7:Presents reality without illusion with

a scientific, detached view.

● SHIFT: concealed plot actual events occurring

Kate ChopinIn the novel, The Awakening (1899), a mother’s designated role is presented through Edna.

“The children appeared before her like antagonists who had overcome her; who had overpowered and sought to drag her into the soul’s slavery for the rest of her days.” (Chopin 127)

Realism Artwork

The Hay Trussers 1850-51 By: Jean Francois Millet Lighting the Fire

By: Jan Welland

Battle By: Bela Ivanyi Grunwald

Application: Sterling’s Poem ● Focused on character● Destiny● Presents realistic events