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Realism A philosophical belief that reality is independent of the individual. Realist authors are characterized by a more direct style of writing. Writings that describe the daily lives of people or tragedies that could possibly occur to them. The reconstruction era1865-1877 Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in 1865 and was succeeded by his vice president Andrew Johnson. The South was being rebuilt after the destruction caused by the war. Racial tensions were still quite high with many people in the South still holding animosity towards African Americans. The railroad network that had begun during the Civil War was expanded and the Transcontinental Railroad was finished in 1869. There was a wider use of steam power that was used during the Civil War. Realism A philosophical belief that reality is independent of the individual. In the fine arts, it is seen in paintings of the regular people instead of the nobles. In theaters it can be seen as a representation of regular people dealing with realistic issues. 。Transcendentalism: Humans are god-like Realism: Humans are like everyone else Romanticism: Emphasis on women and children Realism in Literature Realist authors are characterized by a more direct style of writing. Writings that describe the daily lives of people or tragedies that could possibly occur to them. Realistic authors try to portray traditional, average people. The opposite of realism is generally considered to be idealism. One of the great realist authors we will read is known as Mark Twain. Walt Whitman(1819-1892) Born on May 31, 1819 in Brooklyn and Long Island, New York. Began to learn printer’s trade at age 12 and began to read stories by Homer, Dante, Shakespeare, and the Bible. He worked as a printer, teacher, and finally in 1841 became a journalist. Founded his own newspaper, and in 1855, he published his first edition of Leaves of Grass with many more editions to follow years later. Ralph Waldo Emerson was so impressed Leaves of Grass that he s