Historical and Cultural Connections – Introduction to Realism

The predecessor of the Realist movement was Romanticism, which flourished during a time period when literature focused on exploration of the imagination and an abandonment of tradition. As new frontiers of the country were further explored, so too were the literature and theories of the Romantics. However, as the country became increasingly conflicted and headed toward civil war, the literature began to change and evolve. It became less idealistic and more pragmatic.

In this topic, you will explore the characteristics and definitions of this new literary era, the Realism movement. You will also explore the real plight of many different groups of people as depicted in Realist literature.

Essential Questions

• What are the characteristics of Realism?
• How did the conflicts of the United States manifest themselves in the literature of the time?