Realist Essay Flashcards
Historical Influence #1
The first historical factor, the gold rush, encouraged people to move west in order to find gold. The disappointment that followed me people feel that unrealistic optimism was foolish.
Historical Influence #2
Then, the Civil War came against the thought that people are essentially good and made optimistic views seem weak.
Historical Influence #3
Next, the transcontinental railroad increased regional interest by making Western travel easier for authors such as Mark twain.
Historical Influence #4
Also a historical factor, The increasing cities and urban problems inspired realists realists to accurately portray the conditions of US cities, rather than hide reality by escaping to nature.
Historical Influence #5
Industrialization made romanticism seem irrelevant due to dangerous factory life and the slums it produced.
Historical Influence #6
Lastly, scientific advancements in psychology, sociology, and biology encouraged realist writers to view themselves as scientists in prose who observed human nature.
Ending
“The celebrated jumping frog,” “The story of an hour,” The narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass, and “A Mystery of Heroism” are only some of the many Realist stories impacted by these historical influences.
Local Color/Regionalism
Fiction and poetry focuses on the characters, dialect, customs, topography, and other features particular to a specific region.
Realism
19th century style of writing that attempts to depict life accurately without idealizing or romanticizing it.
Naturalism
A branch of realism that maintained human behavior is determined largely by heredity and environment.
Intro
Many historical factors led to a shift away from romanticism and towards regionalism, realism, and naturalism in American literature.
