Realism and Our Authors

Our first four authors are realists:

HowellsChopinJamesLondon

Also Naturalism

Also watch for elements of Naturalism

InChopin

And London

We will talk more about naturalism later.

Howells as Realist

Consider ways in which “Editha”Is an example of realism . . .

As you read and review

Ask yourself if “Editha”Is a truthful presentation of war

Is a truthful presentation of relationships

Back to What Is Truth?

In what way is the story more truthful than, say, a romantic novel about a hero who goes to war?

How does Editha perceive war?How does George perceive war?

How does George's mother perceive war?Are all three perceptions true?

Finally, how does Howells perceive war, and how do you know that is what he thinks?

Keep in mind that the characters do not necessarily think what the author thinks.

Howells presents Editha as ignorant of reality in order to make her vision look bad.

How does he make her look “bad”?

Look for ways in which “democracy” is present.

Is George an aristocrat?How is George killed? (Look at the account of his

death.)

How would George die in a romantic novel?

Other Points of Realism

Traditional Form . . . NOT

A traditional story (think 1950s TV show) hasClear ending with “closure”

A clear lesson learned by the main characterVictory by the good guysResolution to a problem

Ask yourself how “Editha” does not end like an Andy Griffith episode.

Who “wins”?What should Editha learn?Does she learn her lesson?

Does George come home a hero?

Part 1 of 3Post on the discussion forum

2 things in the story That reflect realism

Just list them and explain how they show the story is in the style of realism. (Some of you will have

similar posts, and that's ok.)

Now Your Assignment Pt.1

Assignment Pt. 2

Second:In one or two paragraphs explain what Howells is

trying to teach his readers about the reality of war or the reality of relationships between men

and women. Use some specific evidence to show that he is doing so and how he is doing

so.

Do this part as a second post.

Assignment Pt. 3

For your third post, respond to someone's second post (their paragraphs).

Feel free to agree or disagree, but give reasons why and support your thoughts from the story.

Keep in mind we are considering what Howells thinks of war, not necessarily what we think.

Guidelines for Posts

To Do Use good grammar Use complete

sentences Use quotes from the

story Use elements from

the powerpoints

Not To Do Disrespect others in

the class Make vague

assertions Make general

statemetns without evidence from the story

If realism seems unclear

One more way to get a sense of realism is by contrasting it with romanticism.

In the Handouts you will find a copy of the romantic story “Young Goodman Brown” by

Nathaniel Hawthorne.Try contrasting the way it is written with the way

“Editha” is written.

Also, the PowerPoint on Realism is based largely on the definition given in

Holman, C. Hugh. A Handbook to Literature.

5th edition. Macmillan.

For more info, check there.

Also, read the “Letter to the Reader” in your anthology.