Realism分析.pptVIP

Chapter ⅣThe Literature of Realism William Dean Howells: “ I confess I do not care to judge any work of the imagination without first applying this test to it. We must ask ourselves before anything else. Is it true? –true to the motives, the impulses, the principles that shape the life of actual men and women?” The Background of American Realism The fifty years between the end of the Civil War to the outbreak of the First World War Changes in every aspect of American life Industrialization and the urbanization, “The Gilded Age” Tired of sentimental feelings of Romanticism Interest in reality of life Historical Background: By the 1870s the New England Renaissance had waned. A host of new writers appeared. They sought to portray American life as it really was. Local color fiction reached its peak of popularity in the 1880s. Naturalism dominated American literature of the first decade of 20th century. Why did Realism develop? The urbanization and industrialization of America As a reaction to Romanticism Increasing rates of democracy and literacy The emerging middle class Upheaval and social change in the latter half of the 19th century What is Realism? A faithful representation of reality in literature, also known as “verisimilitude.”逼真性 Emphasis on development of believable characters. Written in natural vernacular（本国语）, or dialect. Prominent from 1860-1890. The Characteristic of American Realism Interpretation of the actualities of any aspect of life, free from subjective prejudice, idealism, or romantic color. Realist Writers Mark Twain William Dean Howells Henry James Edgar Lee Masters What is Regionalism? Often called “local color.” Focuses on characters, dialect, customs, topography（地形学）, and other features specific to a certain region (eg. the South) Coincided with Realism and sharing many of the same traits. Prominent from 1865-1895. Basic Tenets （教义，信念） ） As with all literary genres, we cannot rely on generalizations to in