The realist novel emerged in the mid-19th century as a response to Romantic idealism. It focused on ordinary people's everyday experiences, reflecting the social and economic realities of the time. This shift coincided with industrialization, urbanization, and the rise of the middle class.

Realist novels featured relatable characters, plausible plots, and authentic dialogue. They provided detailed descriptions of everyday life, exploring themes like social class, gender roles, and moral dilemmas. This approach laid the foundation for later literary movements and continues to influence modern fiction.

Origins of the realist novel

• The realist novel emerged in the mid-19th century as a response to the idealized and often fantastical narratives of the Romantic era
• Realism sought to depict the world as it was, focusing on the everyday experiences of ordinary people and the social, economic, and political realities of the time
• The rise of the realist novel coincided with significant societal changes, such as industrialization, urbanization, and the growth of the middle class, which provided new subject matter for writers to explore

Defining characteristics of realism

Ordinary characters vs idealized heroes

• Realist novels feature protagonists who are average, relatable individuals rather than larger-than-life, idealized heroes
• Characters in realist fiction often struggle with everyday challenges, such as financial difficulties, relationship problems, and moral dilemmas
• The emphasis on ordinary characters allows readers to connect with the stories on a more personal level and recognize the realities of their own lives reflected in the narratives

Plausible plots vs sensational tales

• Realist novels present believable, logical plot lines that unfold naturally, avoiding the sensational or melodramatic events often found in Romantic literature
• The stories in realist fiction are grounded in the realities of everyday life, exploring the cause-and-effect relationships between characters' actions and their consequences
• Plausible plots enable readers to engage with the narrative on a deeper level, as they can relate to the characters' experiences and understand their motivations

Authentic dialogue vs stylized speech

• Realist writers strive to capture the genuine speech patterns and vernacular of their characters, rather than employing stylized or elevated language
• Authentic dialogue helps to create a sense of verisimilitude, making the characters and their interactions feel more realistic and relatable
• The use of authentic dialogue also serves to highlight the social and cultural backgrounds of the characters, as well as their individual personalities and relationships

Detailed descriptions of everyday life

• Realist novels often include meticulous descriptions of settings, objects, and daily routines, immersing readers in the world of the characters
• These detailed descriptions serve to create a vivid and convincing backdrop for the story, allowing readers to visualize the characters' surroundings and understand the context in which they live
• The attention to everyday details also highlights the significance of the mundane in shaping characters' lives and experiences, emphasizing the realist focus on the ordinary aspects of existence

Social and historical context

Impact of industrialization and urbanization

• The rapid industrialization and urbanization of the 19th century had a profound impact on society, transforming the way people lived and worked
• Realist novelists sought to capture these changes in their writing, exploring the effects of industrialization on individuals, families, and communities
• The growth of cities and the emergence of new social classes, such as the urban working class and the bourgeoisie, provided rich subject matter for realist writers to examine

Rise of the middle class

• The 19th century saw the emergence of a growing middle class, fueled by industrialization and economic growth
• Realist novelists often focused on the experiences and aspirations of middle-class characters, exploring their struggles to navigate the changing social landscape
• The rise of the middle class also led to an increased demand for literature that reflected their lives and values, contributing to the popularity of the realist novel

Influence of scientific advancements

• The 19th century witnessed significant advancements in science, including the development of evolutionary theory and the rise of positivism
• Realist writers were influenced by these scientific developments, which encouraged a more empirical and objective approach to understanding the world
• The emphasis on observation, documentation, and analysis in scientific inquiry informed the realist novel's focus on detailed descriptions and the exploration of cause-and-effect relationships

Notable realist novelists

Honoré de Balzac

• French novelist Honoré de Balzac (1799-1850) is considered one of the pioneers of realism in literature
• His monumental series of novels and short stories, collectively titled "La Comédie humaine" (The Human Comedy), offers a panoramic view of French society in the early 19th century
• Balzac's works, such as "Le Père Goriot" (Father Goriot) and "Eugénie Grandet," are known for their vivid characterizations, intricate plots, and keen social commentary

Gustave Flaubert

• Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880) is regarded as one of the most influential French realist novelists
• His masterpiece, "Madame Bovary," tells the story of a dissatisfied provincial housewife and is celebrated for its meticulous attention to detail, psychological depth, and innovative use of free indirect discourse
• Flaubert's commitment to crafting the perfect sentence and his scrupulous editing process set new standards for literary realism

Leo Tolstoy

• Russian writer Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) is renowned for his epic realist novels, such as "War and Peace" and "Anna Karenina"
• Tolstoy's works offer a sweeping view of Russian society, exploring themes of love, family, war, and the search for meaning in life
• His novels are characterized by their psychological depth, philosophical insights, and masterful storytelling, which have earned him a place among the greatest writers of all time

George Eliot

• English novelist George Eliot (1819-1880), born Mary Ann Evans, is a key figure in the development of the realist novel
• Her works, such as "Middlemarch" and "The Mill on the Floss," are known for their complex characters, nuanced exploration of social and moral issues, and insightful commentary on the human condition
• Eliot's novels often focus on the lives of ordinary people in provincial England, offering a detailed and sympathetic portrayal of their struggles and aspirations

Themes in realist novels

Social class and mobility

• Realist novels often explore the rigid class structures of 19th-century society and the challenges faced by characters attempting to navigate or transcend these boundaries
• Works like Balzac's "Le Père Goriot" and Dickens' "Great Expectations" examine the social and economic barriers that limit characters' opportunities and shape their identities
• Realist writers also depict the consequences of social mobility, both positive and negative, as characters strive to improve their status or grapple with the expectations and responsibilities of their new positions

Gender roles and expectations

• Realist novels often critically examine the gender roles and expectations of 19th-century society, highlighting the constraints and inequalities faced by women
• Works like Flaubert's "Madame Bovary" and Eliot's "The Mill on the Floss" explore the limited options available to women and the societal pressures that shape their choices and desires
• Realist writers also depict the ways in which gender roles intersect with class and economic status, creating complex and often conflicting expectations for characters

Moral and ethical dilemmas

• Realist novels frequently present characters grappling with moral and ethical dilemmas, as they navigate the complexities of their social and personal lives
• Works like Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina" and Dostoyevsky's "Crime and Punishment" explore the psychological and emotional turmoil of characters confronting difficult choices and their consequences
• Realist writers often use these moral and ethical dilemmas to comment on larger societal issues, such as the nature of justice, the role of religion, and the limits of individual agency

Psychological depth of characters

• One of the hallmarks of realist fiction is its attention to the psychological depth and complexity of characters
• Realist novelists seek to create fully realized, multi-dimensional characters whose thoughts, feelings, and motivations are explored in detail
• Works like Eliot's "Middlemarch" and Tolstoy's "War and Peace" are celebrated for their nuanced and insightful portrayals of characters' inner lives, as they grapple with the challenges and uncertainties of their world

Narrative techniques in realism

Third-person omniscient narration

• Many realist novels employ a third-person omniscient narrator, who has access to the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of all characters
• This narrative perspective allows writers to provide a comprehensive view of the story world, exploring the interconnected lives and relationships of multiple characters
• Third-person omniscient narration also enables writers to offer commentary and insights into the larger social, political, and philosophical issues at play in the narrative

Free indirect discourse

• Free indirect discourse is a narrative technique that blends the voice of the narrator with the thoughts and perceptions of a character, creating a sense of immediacy and psychological depth
• This technique, pioneered by writers like Flaubert and Eliot, allows readers to experience the story through the character's consciousness, while still maintaining the narrator's guiding presence
• Free indirect discourse contributes to the realist novel's goal of capturing the complexity and subjectivity of human experience, as it provides a more intimate and nuanced portrayal of characters' inner lives

Detailed character development

• Realist novels are known for their meticulous attention to character development, as writers seek to create fully realized, psychologically complex individuals
• Characters in realist fiction often undergo significant growth and change throughout the narrative, as they confront challenges, make difficult choices, and grapple with the consequences of their actions
• Detailed character development allows readers to form deep connections with the characters, understanding their motivations, flaws, and desires, and recognizing the ways in which they reflect the realities of human experience

Linear plot structure

• Realist novels typically follow a linear plot structure, with events unfolding chronologically and causally
• This straightforward narrative approach reflects the realist emphasis on the logical, cause-and-effect relationships that shape characters' lives and experiences
• Linear plot structure also allows writers to explore the gradual development of characters and themes over time, as the story progresses from exposition to climax and resolution

Realism's influence on literature

Departure from romanticism

• The rise of the realist novel marked a significant departure from the idealized, emotionally charged narratives of the Romantic era
• Realist writers rejected the Romantic emphasis on the exceptional and the sublime, instead focusing on the everyday experiences of ordinary people
• This shift towards a more grounded, empirical approach to storytelling reflected larger cultural and intellectual changes, as society grappled with the realities of industrialization, urbanization, and scientific advancement

Foundation for naturalism and modernism

• Realism laid the groundwork for subsequent literary movements, such as naturalism and modernism
• Naturalist writers, like Émile Zola and Theodore Dreiser, built upon the realist emphasis on detached observation and social commentary, while also incorporating a more deterministic view of human behavior and the role of heredity and environment
• Modernist writers, such as Virginia Woolf and James Joyce, drew on the psychological depth and narrative innovations of realism, while also experimenting with new forms and techniques to capture the fragmented, subjective nature of modern experience

Lasting impact on the novel genre

• The realist novel had a profound and enduring impact on the development of the genre, setting new standards for characterization, narrative technique, and social commentary
• Realist writers expanded the possibilities of the novel form, demonstrating its capacity to capture the complexity and diversity of human experience in a rapidly changing world
• The influence of realism can be seen in the work of countless subsequent novelists, from the social realists of the early 20th century to the contemporary writers who continue to explore the challenges and contradictions of everyday life through the lens of fiction