3 The literature of Realism.pptVIP

VI. Characteristics 1. truthful description of life Insistence upon and defense of “the experienced commonplace” To render reality closely and in comprehen-sive detail. Selective presentation of reality with an emphasis on verisimilitude, even at the expense of a well-made plot 2 typical character under typical circumstance ----典型环境下的典型人物 Character more important than action and plot 3. Class is important; the novel has traditionally served the interests and aspirations of an insurgent middle class. open-ending: Life is complex and cannot be fully understood. It leaves much room for readers to think by themselves. 4 concerned with social and psychological problems, revealing the frustrations of characters in an environment of sordidness and depravity 5 The subject matter of Realism is drawn from “our experience” it treated the common the average the non-extreme the representative the probable 6 attack upon romanticism and romantic writers 7 Diction: natural vernacular not heightened or poetic Tone: comic satiric matter-of-fact X.?Three Giants in Realistic Period 1. William Dean Howells (1837-1920) Dean of American Realism 2. Mark Twain (1835-1910) the greatest among the Local Colourists 3. Henry James (1843-1916) the greatest of the American Realists Comparison of the three “giants” of American Realism 1.Theme Howells – middle class James – upper class Twain – lower class 2.Technique Howells – smiling/genteel realism James – psychological realism Twain – local colourism and colloquialism The three dominant figures of the Realistic period differed in their understanding of the “truth” (1) Mark Twain and Howells paid more attention to the “life” of the Americans Henry James, a realist of the inner life, laid a greater emphasis on the “inner world” of man. Henry James: literary artist should not simply hold a mirror to the surface of social life in particular times and places use language to probe the deepest reaches of