Literary Realism in Literature

Introduction: Literary Realism

Literary realism, a pivotal movement in literature that gained prominence in the 19th century, is marked by its unswerving commitment to portraying the world as it is, devoid of idealization or embellishment.

This literary approach is characterized by a meticulous observation of everyday life and a keen focus on the quotidian experiences of ordinary people.

Realism serves as a reflection of societal and individual moralities, providing an unadorned depiction of the complexities of the human condition. Authors of this genre, such as Gustave Flaubert, Leo Tolstoy, and George Eliot, are celebrated for their ability to craft multi-dimensional characters and delve into the psychological motivations driving their actions.

While firmly rooted in the 19th century, the legacy of literary realism endures, offering timeless insights into the intricacies of human existence and society.

Literary Realism: Theorists, Works and Arguments

Theorists and Authors:

• Gustave Flaubert: Known for his novel Madame Bovary Flaubert emphasized the need for meticulous observation and detailed description of everyday life.
• Leo Tolstoy: Renowned for his epic “War and Peace,” Tolstoy explored the intricacies of Russian society and the human psyche with a realist lens.
• George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans): Notable for works like Middlemarch George Eliot examined the moral dilemmas and social issues of the Victorian era with a realist perspective.
• Honore de Balzac: Famous for his extensive series of interconnected novels and stories collectively known as La Comedie Humaine Balzac portrayed various aspects of French society in meticulous detail.

Characteristics of Realism:

• Verisimilitude: Realist literature strives for accuracy and truthfulness in its depiction of both external reality and the inner workings of characters’ minds.
• Ordinary Life: Realism focuses on the mundane aspects of life, portraying the everyday experiences of ordinary people.
• Psychological Insight: Realist authors delve into the psychological motivations and complexities of their characters, exploring their inner thoughts and emotions.
• Societal Critique: Realism often serves as a critique of the moral, social, and political issues of the time, shedding light on the constraints and aspirations of individuals within society.

Key Works:

• Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert: This novel tells the story of Emma Bovary, a provincial woman with grandiose romantic dreams, and her descent into disillusionment and despair.
• War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy: Tolstoy’s epic masterpiece delves into the lives of Russian aristocrats and soldiers during the Napoleonic Wars, providing a panoramic view of society.
• Middlemarch by George Eliot: This novel intricately examines the lives and choices of its characters in a provincial English town, offering a critique of the Victorian social milieu.
• La Comedie Humaine by Honore de Balzac: Balzac’s vast collection of novels and stories explores the diverse facets of French society, presenting a comprehensive picture of his contemporary world.

Arguments and Themes:

• Realism vs. Romanticism: Realist literature emerged as a reaction against the idealism and emotionalism of the Romantic movement, seeking to provide a more accurate representation of human life.
• The Individual vs. Society: Many realist works examine the tension between individual desires and societal expectations, often leading to moral dilemmas and conflicts.
• Social Change and Critique: Realism often serves as a critique of the social, moral, and political issues of the time, reflecting the societal changes and challenges of the 19th century.

Literary Realism: Principals

Principal	Explanation	Example
Verisimilitude	Realist literature seeks to depict both the external world and the inner lives of characters with truth and authenticity, avoiding idealization or exaggeration.	In Madame Bovary, Gustave Flaubert accurately portrays the disillusionment of the protagonist, Emma Bovary, in her quest for romantic fulfillment.
Mimesis	Rooted in the concept of mimesis, realism strives to imitate or mimic real life as faithfully as possible, offering readers a genuine reflection of the world.	In Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace, the depiction of the Napoleonic Wars and Russian aristocracy reflects a meticulous imitation of historical events and society.
Ordinary Life	Realist works focus on the ordinary and commonplace aspects of life, highlighting the everyday experiences of regular individuals, in contrast to earlier romantic portrayals.	In George Eliot’s Middlemarch, the novel delves into the lives of ordinary townspeople and their aspirations in a provincial English setting.
Psychological Insight	Realist authors explore the psychological motivations, thoughts, and emotions of characters, providing insights into the complexities of human behavior and inner workings of the mind.	In Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment, the character Raskolnikov’s psychological turmoil and moral conflict are central to the narrative.
Societal Critique	Realism often serves as a critique of moral, social, and political issues of the time, shedding light on the constraints and aspirations of individuals within society, addressing class, gender, and societal norms.	In Hard Times by Charles Dickens, the novel critiques the dehumanizing impact of industrialization and the shortcomings of utilitarianism in society.
Character-Centered Narratives	Realist works are often character-driven, focusing on multi-dimensional characters whose development and interactions are shaped by their environment and experiences, enhancing narrative depth and authenticity.	In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, the complex characters of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy drive the narrative, reflecting the influence of society on their actions.
Detailed Observation	Realist literature values meticulous observation of the external world, with authors paying close attention to physical surroundings, settings, and objects, vividly depicting the sense of place.	In John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, the detailed descriptions of the Dust Bowl and migrant camps create a vivid sense of the Great Depression-era landscape.
Everyday Language	Realist works use everyday language and dialogue that reflects the natural rhythms of speech, contributing to the authenticity of the narrative and making it relatable to readers.	In Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the use of regional dialects and colloquial language captures the speech patterns of the characters.
Social Context	Realist literature is often deeply embedded in its social and historical context, reflecting the cultural, political, and economic realities of the time, offering a window into the society of the period.	In Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle, the novel exposes the harsh conditions of the meatpacking industry in early 20th-century America, reflecting the social issues of the era.
Objective Narration	Realist narration tends to be objective and unobtrusive, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions from character interactions and events, avoiding heavy authorial commentary or moralizing.	In Henry James’s The Portrait of a Lady, the third-person narrative style provides an objective perspective, allowing readers to interpret the characters’ choices and their consequences.

Literary Realism: Examples

1. Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert:

• Realism in Characterization: Flaubert’s meticulous attention to the psychological complexities of the characters, particularly the protagonist Emma Bovary, stands out. He portrays Emma’s discontent with provincial life and her pursuit of romantic fulfillment with unflinching realism. Her character embodies the ordinary aspirations and disillusionments of individuals.
• Detailed Observation: Flaubert’s vivid descriptions of the rural French landscape and society, as well as the material possessions and surroundings of the characters, provide a tangible sense of place. This attention to detail contributes to the authenticity of the narrative.

2. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy:

• Societal Critique: Tolstoy’s epic work serves as a critique of Russian society during the Napoleonic Wars. Through its extensive character portrayals, the novel reveals the intricate interplay of individual aspirations and societal constraints. Realism is evident in the depiction of both aristocratic salons and the brutal realities of war.
• Character-Centered Narratives: Tolstoy’s characters, from the aristocratic Pierre Bezukhov to the soldier Andrei Bolkonsky, are multi-dimensional and evolve over time. Their interactions with society and one another are a hallmark of the novel’s realism.

3. Middlemarch by George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans):

• Ordinary Life: George Eliot’s focus on the everyday lives and concerns of the characters in a provincial English town exemplifies the realist principle of ordinary life. The novel delves into the aspirations, failures, and moral dilemmas of individuals in a relatable setting.
• Psychological Insight: The depth of psychological insight into characters like Dorothea Brooke and Tertius Lydgate reveals their inner struggles and motivations. George Eliot explores the complexities of human behavior and relationships in a highly realistic manner.

4. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck:

• Societal Critique: Steinbeck’s novel is a stark critique of the social and economic hardships faced by the Joad family and other Dust Bowl migrants during the Great Depression. It depicts the harsh realities of poverty, labor exploitation, and the struggle for survival with unflinching realism.
• Detailed Observation: Steinbeck’s descriptions of the Dust Bowl and the migrant camps, along with the Joad family’s journey, offer a detailed and vivid portrayal of the era. The meticulous observation of the physical and social environment contributes to the novel’s authenticity.

In these four literary works, the principles of literary realism are vividly manifested. They provide a window into the complexities of human life, societal dynamics, and the ordinary experiences of individuals, portraying these aspects with authenticity and truthfulness. The authors’ focus on detail, psychological insight, and societal critique showcases the power of realism in literature.

Literary Realism: Keywords

1. Mimesis: The imitation or representation of reality in literature, where writers strive to depict life and human experiences as they truly are, rather than idealized or romanticized versions.
2. Naturalism: An extension of literary realism, naturalism focuses on the influence of environment and heredity on characters’ behavior, often portraying them as victims of circumstance.
3. Verisimilitude: The quality of being true to life or reality in literature, ensuring that the events and characters in a work of fiction are plausible and believable.
4. Psychological Realism: The exploration of characters’ inner thoughts, emotions, and motivations, often delving into their psyche to reveal complex psychological portraits.
5. Everyday Life: Literary realism is concerned with depicting the ordinary and commonplace aspects of everyday existence, avoiding the sensational or fantastical.
6. Objective Narration: A narrative style that presents events and characters without the intrusion of the author’s subjective opinions or judgments, allowing readers to form their own interpretations.
7. Detail-Oriented: Realist authors pay meticulous attention to descriptive details, providing a rich and vivid portrayal of the settings, characters, and actions in their works.
8. Character Depth: Realist literature emphasizes well-developed and multi-dimensional characters with flaws and complexities that reflect the intricacies of real people.
9. Social Commentary: Realist literature often critiques or comments on societal issues and norms, offering insights into the cultural, political, and social contexts of the time.

Literary Realism: Suggested Readings

1. Balzac, Honoré de. Eugénie Grandet. Translated by Katherine Prescott Wormeley, Modern Library, 2000.
2. Flaubert, Gustave. Madame Bovary. Translated by Lydia Davis, Viking, 2010.
3. Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. Signet Classics, 2009.
4. James, Henry. The Portrait of a Lady. Penguin Classics, 2003.
5. Melville, Herman. Moby-Dick. Edited by Hershel Parker and Harrison Hayford, Norton, 2002.
6. Stendhal. The Red and the Black. Translated by Burton Raffel, Modern Library, 2005.
7. Tolstoy, Leo. Anna Karenina. Translated by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky, Penguin Classics, 2002.
8. Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Edited by Peter Coveney, Oxford University Press, 2009.
9. Wharton, Edith. The Age of Innocence. Scribner, 2008.
10. Zola, Émile. Germinal. Translated by Peter Collier, Oxford World’s Classics, 2008.