Realism emerged in mid-19th century Europe as a response to rapid industrialization and social change. It sought to depict life accurately without idealization, influenced by advancements in science, technology, and philosophy of the time.

Key principles of realism included objective representation, focus on everyday life, and emphasis on accuracy. Realist authors used detailed descriptions, unadorned language, and omniscient narration to create a sense of verisimilitude in their works.

Origins of realism

• Emerged in mid-19th century Europe as a response to rapid industrialization and social change
• Sought to depict life accurately without idealization or romanticization
• Influenced by advancements in science, technology, and philosophy of the time

Historical context

• Industrial Revolution transformed society and economy
• Urbanization led to new social classes and dynamics
• Rise of journalism and photography influenced desire for factual representation
• Political upheavals (French Revolution of 1848) sparked interest in social realities

Reaction to romanticism

• Rejected romantic idealization of nature and emotions
• Focused on observable facts rather than imagination or symbolism
• Aimed to portray life as it truly was, including its harsh realities
• Emphasized rationality and objectivity over sentiment and subjectivity

Influence of scientific method

• Adopted empirical observation and analysis from scientific practices
• Strived for systematic and detailed documentation of reality
• Incorporated ideas from emerging fields like sociology and psychology
• Embraced positivist philosophy emphasizing verifiable facts and experiences

Key principles of realism

• Aimed to represent life truthfully without artificial conventionality or supernatural elements
• Focused on contemporary settings and ordinary people's experiences
• Sought to educate readers about social conditions and human nature

Objective representation

• Strived for impartial, unbiased depiction of reality
• Avoided authorial commentary or moral judgments
• Presented characters and events without idealization or demonization
• Used detailed observations to create a sense of authenticity

Focus on everyday life

• Depicted ordinary people and their daily experiences
• Explored mundane aspects of life previously considered unworthy of literature
• Addressed contemporary social issues and concerns
• Portrayed characters from various social classes and backgrounds

Emphasis on accuracy

• Meticulously researched historical and social contexts
• Paid attention to minute details of settings, customs, and dialects
• Strived for psychological realism in character development
• Aimed to create a faithful representation of the human experience

Realist literary techniques

• Employed methods to create a sense of verisimilitude in their works
• Focused on creating believable characters and situations
• Used language and narrative structures to enhance the illusion of reality

Detailed descriptions

• Provided extensive, precise depictions of settings and characters
• Used sensory details to create vivid, immersive environments
• Incorporated specific cultural and historical references
• Employed ekphrasis to describe objects, artworks, or scenes in depth

Unadorned language

• Used plain, straightforward prose without excessive ornamentation
• Avoided flowery or poetic language in favor of clarity and directness
• Incorporated colloquialisms and dialects to reflect characters' backgrounds
• Strived for natural-sounding dialogue that mimicked real speech patterns

Omniscient narration

• Utilized third-person, all-knowing narrator to provide multiple perspectives
• Allowed for objective presentation of characters' thoughts and motivations
• Enabled comprehensive view of social dynamics and relationships
• Facilitated exploration of complex moral and psychological issues

Themes in realist literature

• Explored contemporary social, political, and economic issues
• Examined human nature and behavior in various contexts
• Addressed moral and ethical dilemmas faced by individuals in society

Social issues

• Critiqued societal norms and institutions (marriage, education, religion)
• Explored effects of industrialization and urbanization on communities
• Addressed issues of gender roles and women's rights
• Examined impact of technological advancements on traditional ways of life

Class struggles

• Depicted economic disparities and social mobility challenges
• Explored conflicts between different social classes (bourgeoisie vs proletariat)
• Examined impact of class on individual opportunities and relationships
• Critiqued exploitation of working classes in industrial society

Moral dilemmas

• Presented complex ethical situations without clear-cut resolutions
• Explored consequences of characters' choices and actions
• Examined tension between individual desires and societal expectations
• Addressed themes of hypocrisy, corruption, and moral compromise

Notable realist authors

• Contributed significantly to the development and spread of realism in literature
• Influenced subsequent generations of writers and literary movements
• Addressed diverse themes and social issues in their works

European realists

• Gustave Flaubert (France) explored bourgeois life and female psychology
• Charles Dickens (England) critiqued social injustices and class disparities
• George Eliot (England) examined rural life and moral complexities
• Émile Zola (France) incorporated naturalistic elements and social criticism
• Leo Tolstoy (Russia) depicted Russian society and explored human nature

American realists

• Mark Twain satirized American society and explored regional dialects
• Henry James focused on psychological realism and transatlantic themes
• William Dean Howells advocated for realism in American literature
• Kate Chopin explored women's roles and Creole culture in Louisiana
• Theodore Dreiser incorporated naturalistic elements in urban settings

Russian realists

• Fyodor Dostoevsky explored psychological depth and moral dilemmas
• Ivan Turgenev examined social and political issues in pre-revolutionary Russia
• Anton Chekhov mastered the realistic short story and drama
• Nikolai Gogol blended realism with elements of the grotesque and absurd
• Leo Tolstoy depicted Russian society across various social classes

Realism vs naturalism

• Naturalism emerged as an offshoot of realism in the late 19th century
• Both movements shared a commitment to depicting reality accurately
• Naturalism took a more deterministic and scientific approach to human behavior

Philosophical differences

• Realism emphasized free will and individual agency
• Naturalism viewed humans as products of heredity and environment
• Realism allowed for moral choices and character development
• Naturalism often portrayed characters as victims of circumstances beyond their control

Stylistic distinctions

• Realism used more restrained language and narrative techniques
• Naturalism employed more graphic and explicit descriptions
• Realism allowed for subtle character development and nuanced situations
• Naturalism often focused on extreme or sensational aspects of human experience

Thematic focus

• Realism explored a wide range of social issues and human experiences
• Naturalism concentrated on the darker aspects of human nature and society
• Realism allowed for both positive and negative outcomes in narratives
• Naturalism often depicted a pessimistic view of human existence and social conditions

Impact on world literature

• Realism profoundly influenced the development of modern literature
• Established techniques and themes that continue to shape contemporary fiction
• Challenged traditional notions of literary subject matter and style

Influence on later movements

• Modernism incorporated realist techniques while experimenting with form
• Magical realism blended realistic settings with fantastical elements
• Social realism focused on working-class struggles and political themes
• New Journalism applied realist techniques to non-fiction writing

Legacy in modern fiction

• Contemporary authors continue to employ realist techniques and themes
• Realism influenced development of genre fiction (detective novels, historical fiction)
• Psychological realism remains a key element in character-driven narratives
• Social critique and exploration of everyday life persist as important literary focuses

Critical reception

• Initially faced resistance from critics accustomed to romantic and classical ideals
• Gradually gained acceptance as a legitimate and important literary movement
• Sparked debates about the nature of art and its relationship to reality
• Continues to be studied and analyzed in literary scholarship and criticism

Realism in other art forms

• Realist principles and techniques extended beyond literature to other artistic media
• Sought to capture reality and everyday life across various forms of expression
• Influenced development of new artistic techniques and approaches

Realism in painting

• Rejected idealized classical and romantic styles
• Depicted ordinary people and scenes from daily life
• Employed techniques to create illusion of three-dimensional space
• Notable artists included Gustave Courbet, Jean-François Millet, and Édouard Manet

Realism in theater

• Focused on contemporary social issues and believable characters
• Developed naturalistic acting techniques and stage designs
• Influenced by works of playwrights like Henrik Ibsen and Anton Chekhov
• Led to development of modern drama and theatrical naturalism

Realism in photography

• Captured unposed, candid moments of everyday life
• Documented social conditions and historical events
• Influenced development of photojournalism and documentary photography
• Photographers like Jacob Riis and Lewis Hine used images for social reform

Critiques of realism

• Faced criticism from various perspectives throughout its development and legacy
• Sparked debates about the nature of art and its relationship to reality
• Continues to be examined and challenged in contemporary literary discourse

Limitations of objectivity

• Questioned possibility of truly objective representation
• Recognized influence of author's perspective and biases on narrative
• Explored role of selection and framing in creating "realistic" depictions
• Examined how cultural and historical contexts shape perceptions of reality

Debates on artistic value

• Criticized for lack of imagination or aesthetic beauty
• Questioned whether focus on ordinary life diminished literature's cultural value
• Explored tension between mimetic representation and artistic creation
• Examined role of style and form in realist works

Postmodern challenges

• Questioned notion of a single, objective reality
• Explored role of language and narrative in constructing perceptions of reality
• Experimented with metafiction and self-reflexive techniques
• Blended realist elements with other styles and genres to create hybrid forms