Realism and Our Authors
Our first four authors are realists:
Howells
Chopin
James
London
Also Naturalism
Also watch for elements of
Naturalism
In
Chopin
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”?
Other Points of Realism
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?
Traditional Form . . . NOT
A traditional story (think 1950s TV show) has
Clear ending with “closure”
A clear lesson learned by the main character
Victory by the good guys
Resolution 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?
Now Your Assignment Pt.1
Part 1 of 3
Post 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.)
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.