American Regionalism and

Realism

1860-1920(ish)

What is Realism?

• A faithful representation of reality in literature, also known as “verisimilitude.”

• Emphasis on development of believable characters.

• Written in natural vernacular, or dialect.

• Prominent from 1860-1890.

Realist Writers• Mark Twain• William Dean

Howells• Henry James• Edgar Lee Masters• Stephen Crane

Why did Realism develop?• The Civil War• The urbanization and industrialization of

America• As a reaction to Romanticism• Increasing rates of democracy and literacy• The emerging middle class• Upheaval and social change in the latter

half of the 19th century

What is Regionalism?

• Often called “local color.”• Focuses on characters, dialect,

customs, topography, and other features specific to a certain region (eg. the South)

• Coincided with Realism and sharing many of the same traits.

• Prominent from 1865-1895.

Regionalist Writers• Kate Chopin—

South• Mary E. Wilkins-

Freeman—New England

• Mark Twain—West• Willa Cather—

Midwest

THE IMPORTANCE OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN• Huckleberry Finn is a

turning point in the pattern of American literature

• Twain was the first writer to successfully employ the use of vernacular

USE OF OFFENSIVE WORDS

• Particularly the “N-Word”

• Twain is speaking through the consciousness of Huck and using his words to convey the flavor of contemporary society

• Not meant to be insulting

The River

• River (uncivilized) – peaceful and easy, yet not totally without danger

• Shore (civilized) – cruel, authoritarian, hypocritical

• Paradox – Small, confined raft yet it represents freedom

Picaresque Novel

• heroic journey in which a character goes on a journey to discover himself

• Book is based around a series of episodes that helps to shape the character

Major Themes

• Conflict between individual and society – Huck’s struggle with his “deformed conscience”

• Appearance vs. reality• Superstition• Tolerance vs. prejudice• Dehumanization• Coming of age – the hero’s journey