1. Realism
Realism is a technique and a subject matter. It focuses on the representation of the middle
class. From what I’ve seen it’s put into simple definitions by multiple people but it is not
simple or easy to define. Realist center on the here and now. Naturalism seems very close in
definition but seems to focus more on the lower class as apposed to the middle class of
realism. The time frame is between the Civil War and the turn of the century. It appears as if
the goal of the realist is an accurate representation of American life. Realism in literature
and other artistic expression is used to help understand the culture and life of that time. Like
it’s base word it is based in reality and specific detail. The characters seem to flow with
their environment, time period, and within their society. The realist makes effort to avoid the
sensational and dramatic, instead creating a truthful expression of reality. The writings do
not lean toward poetic or fare fetching, but to the practical and believable. There seems to
be a conflict with morality. It seems to permeate the literature but also be something that is
unattainable or something that is pressured on an the characters. Characters also seemed to
be unsuspecting normal people dealing with the issues of life around them. There seemed to
be much conflict brought about by realist, it wasn’t necessarily adored as it is today.