As Romanticism left its mark, realism became the reigning model of American literature after the Civil War. Having the ability to view the world as it is is nevertheless a true and bona fide description. Over generations, it has continued to become a profound aspect in the world of literary consumption. As the many authors of time have come together to create such an intense realistic form, we as the reader have the opportunity to find close relation through word usage, symbolism, expression of theme, etc. The roots of realism lay in the American experience, in ordinary American life, as in the speeches of Cochise and Charlot. Between the idea that reality and naturalism can come together, creates an immense, yet natural reality. In the words of Thomas Hobbes, modern founder of the social contract tradition, life in the state of nature is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short”. Through everyday occurrence and life experience we are able to identify with the works of flourishing, yet influential literary figures.
Although his story missed the publishing deadline to be included in Artemus Ward’s compilation of American Wild West sketches, first published November18, 1865, was Twain’s “ Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County”. As Twain is challenged to tell the story of “fat and bald-headed” Mr. Jim Smiley, he unquestionably exaggerates on every aspect of his life happenings. His ability to maintain the use of regional dialect of the west keeps the reader in the mind state of that time, therefore we are able to relate to the characters and have knowledge of actions that they carry out. This is shown as Twain states, “Why I’ve seen him set Dan’l Webster down here on this floor Dan’l Webster was the name of the frog and sing out, “flies, Dan’l flies!” and quicker’n you could wink he’d spring straight up and snake a fly off’n the counter there, and flop down on the floor ag’in as solid as a gob of mud, and fall to scratching the side of his head with his hind foot as indifferent as if he hadn’t no idea he’d been doin’ any ore’n any frog might do.”
The Essay on The Life Cycle of a Frog
Diagram of the Frog Life Cycle| Mom and Dad Frog Decide to Have Baby FrogsThe life cycle of a frog starts when mom and dad frog fall in love and decide to have baby frogs. Okay, nobody really knows if frogs fall in love, but it’s okay to think that they do. Mom and dad frog will mate, either in the water or in a tree, depending on what kind of frogs they are. You know this is happening when you ...
“The Real Thing” is a short story by Henry James. Told by a painter, we learn that illusions have a tendency to display reality in a surreal form. In order to find the “real thing”, which refers to the family’s inherited power, we learn of their ineffective ability to successfully contribute to the painters work. Throughout the story all of the characters come alive and his use of satire lightens the seriousness of the story. We learn that in reality the upper class, referred to as the Monarchs, and are typically in need of work as opposed to the Mrs. Churns who represents the fantasizing lower class. Appearance vs. Actuality encapsulates the truth behind the pressures and stereotypical ideas that society has placed on the Monarchs.
Bierce’s ability to utilize his life experiences and coax the reader into a state of belief is two aspects that identify him as a realist. In “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge”, “a single company of infantry in line, at ‘parade rest’ the butts of the rifles on the ground, the barrels inclining backward against the right shoulder, the hands crossed upon the stock” is an in depth statement of how he employs personal experience to captivate his audience. Throughout the story we realize that Peyton’s focus is having the opportunity to bond with his family. Bierce uses a series of lines to critique the Civil War southerner and show the reality of southern life during that time. (i.e.: hanging)
Kate Chopin, author of “The Storm”, writes her story about infidelity during a thunderstorm. Calixta’s sexual passion intensifies and Alcee’s unresisting urge says, “When he touched her breasts they gave themselves up in quivering ecstasy, inviting his lips. Her mouth was a fountain of delight. And when he possessed her, they seemed to swoon together at the very borderland of life’s mystery.” A wide range of authorities condemned Chopin’s choice of subject matter because she was exceptionally open as expressed in the above reference. As she was writing about what really went on in life, it seemed as if no one wanted to admit to this happening. She was certainly writing what she felt, and she wanted to give a woman’s voice to realism.
The Essay on On Magical Realism Angel Reality Marquez
To many critics of the genre, Magical Realism is nothing but updated children's tales being passed off as substantial literature, but if we look deeper, the essence of this movement is bared to the viewer. By looking at the history and origins of Magical Realism, as well as the term itself, we can begin to understand the importance of this writing style in today's society. The roots behind Magical ...
Frost’s “Death of a Hired Man” is a description of realism in the social class. His poetic realism is displayed throughout the poem. The wife, named Amy, uses her emotions about her child’s death as weapon against her husband—and, ironically, against herself. In order to escape their separate emotional difficulties in dealing with death, she refuses to drop to a mutually satisfying resolution. The realism exists in the idea that Frost may have encountered some marital difficulties during his lifetime. Mary and Silas debate on the same idea that carries on into “Home Burial”. As Frost explores new territory, the value of this poem is in relation to a personal public sorrow.
“Spoon River Anthology” provided insight into the lives of deceased citizens before, during, and post industrial revolution. All of the people in the poem have the option to describe life as it really was, without the fear of consequences, for they had already passed on. This allowed people who were not directly involved in the realism movement to have a better understanding of what was occurring in lives of those during the midst of the movement.
All in all realism and naturalism had its adverse affects on society. As the many world-renowned authors sought out ways to express the many thoughts, happenings, and feelings of the time, we are able to place ourselves in the midst to better understand. As Romanticism left its mark, realism has become the reigning model of American literature after the Civil War. The world as it is, is reality in itself.
