The Realism Era

The realism era is one of the most over looked time frames for literature during the last 5 centuries. In the mid 1800s through the mid 1900s some of the most famous authors and novels arose. During the realist era, literature took a turn, around 1820 the romantic era changed, and the progress of this new era began. Realism was different from the romantic era because realism narrates the literary works through an objective, unbiased perspective (Realism 654). In fact the narrator is not a character in the story rather an invisible presence that remains outside of the realm of the story (Rahn). These authors and poets of the realist era were masters of psychological characterization (Rahn). They tried to accurately represent contemporary culture to enhance even just one single character. And the writers did so through dialogue, they captured regional dialects as well as the difference in speech patterns (Realism 663).

The authors of this time tried to change the writing style by changing the themes. A new theme arose called socioeconomic, which highlights the difference between the rich and the poor class (Realism 661). Many of the realist authors addressed social, economical, and political concerns through their depictions of socioeconomic class conflict (Rahn). Many of the writings which are set to the theme of socioeconomic where mainly based in the city, although a few authors set their novels to a less upbeat country setting. Throughout the novels, and plays, authors depict various aspects of life in the rapidly industrializing world, yet most are set in the midst of specific historical events during the 18th and the 19th centuries (Realism 661). Working along with themes of socioeconomics, and the city, other themes became m...

... middle of paper ...

...0." Literary Movements. Dept. of English, Washington State University. 4 July 2013. Web. 6 Dec. 2013.

"Objectivity of Realism: Literature." World Eras. Ed. James R. Farr. Vol. 9: Industrial Revolution in Europe, 1750-1914. Detroit: Gale, 2003. 67-70. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 6 Dec. 2013.

Rahn, Josh. "Realism." Literature Periods & Movements. Jalic Inc., 2011. Web. 6 Dec. 2013. .

"Realism." Literary Movements for Students: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Literary Movements. Ed. Ira Mark Milne. 2nd ed. Vol. 2. Detroit: Gale, 2009. 654-681. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 6 Dec 2013.

Rubin, James H. "Realism." New Dictionary of the History of Ideas. Ed. Maryanne Cline Horowitz. Vol. 5. Detroit: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2005. 2014-2016. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 6 Dec. 2013.