Realism in 19th-Century Literature: A Historical Survey
Realism in 19th-Century Literature
Introduction
The Realist movement originated in mid-19th-century France, spreading to England, Russia, and the United States. Primarily expressed through novels, many Realist works are considered literary masterpieces. Realist writers aimed for objective narration, clear representation of facts, and masterful psychological characterization. They meticulously described everyday life and used natural-sounding dialogue, representing diverse people and contemporary culture. Socioeconomic conflicts were often explored, contrasting the lives of different social classes in urban and rural settings.
Major Realist Writers by Country
France: Honoré de Balzac, Gustave Flaubert, Émile Zola, Guy de Maupassant
Russia: Ivan Turgenev, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Leo Tolstoy
England: Charles Dickens, George Eliot, Anthony Trollope
United States: William Dean Howells
Naturalism, a branch of Realism, emphasized accurate portrayals of contemporary life. In the US, regionalism and local color fiction were also Realist offshoots. Realism significantly impacted drama, influencing set design, costumes, acting, and dialogue.
Key Authors and Works
Honoré de Balzac (1799-1850)
Considered the originator of French Realism and a prominent novelist, Balzac’s La Comédie humaine (The Human Comedy) comprises around 90 novels and novellas.
Charles Dickens (1812-1870)
A master of the English realist novel, Dickens achieved immense popularity. His notable works include Oliver Twist, Nicholas Nickleby, Great Expectations, and A Tale of Two Cities.
Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-1881)
A major Russian realist author, Dostoevsky’s works include Crime and Punishment, The Idiot, The Brothers Karamazov, and Notes from the Underground.
George Eliot (1819-1880)
(Pen name of Mary Ann Evans). Key works include Adam Bede, The Mill on the Floss, Silas Marner, and Middlemarch.
Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880)
A celebrated French Realist, Flaubert wrote Madame Bovary, Salammbô, and L’Éducation sentimentale (Sentimental Education).
William Dean Howells (1837-1920)
The foremost American realist writer, Howells’ works include The Rise of Silas Lapham and A Hazard of New Fortunes.
Henry James (1843-1916)
Known for works like Daisy Miller, Portrait of a Lady, and The Ambassadors, James explored the clash between American and European values.
Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910)
A major Russian realist, Tolstoy’s masterpieces include War and Peace and Anna Karenina.
Émile Zola (1840-1902)
The founder of Naturalism, Zola’s Les Rougon-Macquart series comprises twenty novels.
Key Themes and Styles
Themes
- Class Conflict: Realist writers often highlighted disparities between the rich and the poor.
- The City: The changing urban landscape of the 19th century was a frequent subject.
- Philosophy and Morality: Religion, philosophy, and morality were explored in many works.
- Marriage and Family: Family dynamics across different social strata were examined.
Style
- Narrative Voice: Many realists employed an omniscient, objective narrator.
- Setting: Accurate depictions of specific settings were crucial.
- Characterization: Realist writers were known for their diverse and well-developed characters.
Movement Variations and Historical Context
Naturalism: A close offshoot of Realism, emphasizing detailed depictions of reality.
Parnassian Poets: A French movement of the 1860s, also linked to Realism.
American Regionalism and Local Color Fiction: Distinctly American forms of Realism.
Realism in Painting: Gustave Courbet (1819-1877) was a key figure.
Socialist Realism: A later development, distinct from 19th-century Realism.
The Realist movement coincided with significant social and political changes in France, England, Russia, and the United States during the mid-to-late 19th century.