R &R Essay
Realism and Regionalism are the next phases of the slow metamorphosis of American Literature. Romanticism laid the foundation for a more psychological and philosophical writing style. Although both Regionalism and Realism go hand and hand in the development of American Literature, they do have their differences. For example, “Regionalism is fiction and poetry that focuses on the characters, dialect, customs, and other features particular to a specific region” (public.wsu.edu). Contrastingly, “Realism refers to the attempt to represent familiar and everyday people and situations in an accurate, unidealized manner” (http://terpconnect.umd.edu). The authors that contributed the most to these movements include Mark Twain, Willa Cather, and Bret Harte. Both Harte and Twain have a realist writing style, while Cather is more of a naturalist. Even though Cather has a different writing style than both Twain and Harte, all of their works share similar characteristics that branch from Regionalism. Mark Twain, Willa Cather, and Bret Harte may have different writing styles, but their respective works all fall into a branch of Regionalism.
Cather is a naturalist, so her writing focuses more on character development and analysis, rather than the setting or plot of the writing. Cather spent most of her life living in New York, which was also the number one harbor that immigrants flocked to. So her regionalism writing style comes directly from her background. Her experience with regionalism can be seen in her work My Antonia. One characteristic of naturalism is that the characters in the novel usually come from a background of poverty and destitution. This is exemplified directly as Jim says, “I could tell the Shimerda's were
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...t. She began the challenging test of caring for those around her, while being unable to care for herself. This cycle is common among naturalist writers such as Cather.
Mark Twain, Willa Cather, and Bret Harte all have characteristics that are similar in their writing styles, but they also have their differences. Willa Cather and Bret Harte had very similar backgrounds of regionalism, but very different writing styles. Mark Twain and Bret Harte had completely different backgrounds of regionalism, but almost identical styles of writing. The two most common characteristics of Realism shared by Twain and Harte are that their writings have a Diction that is in a natural vernacular, and a more complex philosophical and psychological meaning to the text. Without the clash of realist and naturalist writers, American Literature would not have developed to where it is today.
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman did have some differences in their writing. However, both poets also did have some similarities as well. Similarities such their tone or attitude toward death, and the acceptance they show toward it. These poets had different styles of writing, yet also had similar styles concepts in their
...n gave up. Her energy had to be devoted towards the survival of her family she then “grew increasingly anxious and upset”(163).
Early American literature genres have been cemented in time for many aspects ranging from outlandish hypotheticals to groundbreaking revelations. Forms such as romanticism, satire, and realism were popular for their outlook on society and individualism with prominent writers coming from every type. Twain paved the road for future satirists such as Kurt Vonnegut, while Hawthorne and Poe laid the groundwork for many romanticism hopefuls in the early 19th century with Ambrose Bierce establishing a solid position in realistic literature. Despite all peaking in roughly the same time period, each genre manages to distinguish itself through the respective ways their main idea is presented to the readers, albeit in a grandiose manner or a blunt one.
The setting of the story has tremendous impact on the characters and themes in the novel "My Antonia" by Willa Cather. Cather's delicately crafted naturalistic style is evident not only in her colorfully detailed depictions of the Nebraska frontier, but also in her characters’ relationship with the land on which they live. The common naturalist theme of man being controlled by nature appears many times throughout the novel, particularly in the chapters containing the first winter.
Willa Cather's novel My Ántonia dramatizes the effect the frontier has on both native-born people and immigrants that come to the West in search of new beginnings. The story centers around two families living in a remote area of Nebraska from completely diverse backgrounds. This tale suggests that regardless of where a person comes from, the trials and tribulations of living under such tough conditions will ultimately impact his/her future existence. Cather's characters, no matter the age or heritage, are continuously re-defined, as if reborn, into a new life by surviving the harsh realities of the frontier. Much of the creation of these characters takes place in the very first book of the story, with the middle books only showing the individuals sense of disconnection from the land from which they've come to make their living. They either love the frontier life, or they seek to escape it and create a new life for themselves elsewhere. The final book reunites the two main characters, Jim and Ántonia, and brings them full circle: back to the place where it all began.
One of these famous American authors was Mark Twain. Mark Twain wrote many stories and novels that became popular because of their theme of individualism. Some of his more popular stories were The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court , The Prince and the Pauper, Life on the Mississippi, Roughing It. One of Mark Twain's story that really illustrated the theme of individualism is The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Darwinism and Marxism both showed themselves and clashed with current American ideals. These things caused writers to take notice of the changing
Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known by the pseudonym Mark Twain, has been central to American literature for over a century. His seemingly effortless diction accurately exemplified America’s southern culture. From his early experiences in journalism to his most famous fictional works, Twain has remained relevant to American writing as well as pop culture. His iconic works are timeless and have given inspiration the youth of America for decades. He distanced himself from formal writing and became one of the most celebrated humorists. Mark Twain’s use of the common vernacular set him apart from authors of his era giving his readers a sense of familiarity and emotional connection to his characters and himself.
Writers throughout history have always influenced or have been influenced by the era that which they live in. Many famous authors arose during The Age of Discovery and The Romantic Period all of whom had very distinctive writing styles that held true to their era. To find the differences between the two eras, it is important to understand the era, at which time the literature was wrote, the writing style, and the subject matter.
American Literary Realism, 1870-1910. Vol. 8, Issue 1 - "The 'Standard' University of Texas, 1975. http://www.ut Gilman, Charlotte.
In her novel, My Antonia, Cather represents the frontier as a new nation. Blanche Gelfant notes that Cather "creat[ed] images of strong and resourceful women upon whom the fate of a new country depended" . This responsibility, along with the "economic productivity" Gilbert and Gubar cite (173), reinforces the sense that women hold a different place in this frontier community than they would in the more settled areas of America.
Literary realism is the trend, beginning with mid nineteenth-century French literature and extending to late-nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century authors, toward depictions of contemporary life and society as it was, or is. In the spirit of general "realism," realist authors opted for depictions of everyday and banal activities and experiences, instead of a romanticized or similarly stylized presentation. (Wikipedia, Literary Realism)
In both Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman’s works, they emphasize some differences in their writing. In Dickinson’s works she shows that her works are short and simple poems, while Whitman’s poems and often long and complex. With Dickinson showing that her works are short and simple, while Whitman brings on a more sophisticated style, it truly shows that they use their own unique style of writing. In both Whitman and Dickinson works they have been known for being such unique artist and being original, while people try so hardly to impersonate their style, but they are unable to come close to accomplishing it.
Emily Dickinson and Robert Frost both think that individuality is very important to a person, equally like Ralph Emerson. Although they may have a lot in common, these poets are different in many ways. Both Frost and Dickinson were American poets and were both from New England. A big similarity between Frost and Dickinson. Both talk about death.
...a woman trying to find an identity through her heritage. All of these stories give us examples and show us what life in this period would be like for the characters. They give details that show the readers the world around them.