Kate Chopin in Realist Movement

Among the most influential writers during the Realist Movement was widowed writer Kate Chopin. Her literary work, which epitomizes realist literary technique, is filled with the powerful and truthful representation of human life and morality. This is extremely important because it exposes the truth about societal conditions and brings special attention to the restrictions and plights of ordinary human beings. Take for example her novel entitled, “The Awakening”, which in many ways serves as the antecedent for realism. It is openly filled with forthright sexual emotions and desires which were unheard of in literature at the time that she wrote it. The main character Edna perhaps best reflects the realist indulgence into real sexual matters, “And for the first time in her life she stood naked in the open air, at the mercy of the sun, the breeze that beat upon her, and the waves that invited her.” (Awakening, Page 127)There is also the presence of the real, strong, imposed limitations placed on the main character by society and by her family. The sociological and biological limitations of the main character being a married woman with kids certainly closes her options and greatly influences her conduct, whether she likes it or not. “The children appeared before her like antagonists who had overcome her; who had overpowered and sought to drag her into the soul’s slavery for the rest of her days.” (Awakening, Page 127).
Another example of realism in Chopin’s work is the familiar subject matter and common character descriptions that she incorporates into her work. Just like realism, she manages to show the real life, unexaggerated and unembellished events that dominate day to day life for many people. For example, in her novel “At Fault”, one of the main characters she writes about is Jack Dawson who is a middle aged, traveling salesman in the Southwest. There really is nothing phenomenal or outstanding in his ordinary life, in fact, he can even be thought of as a next door neighbor. But as with all realism literature, he finds heartbreak in the reality of his life when he discovers that his wife is having an adulterous relationship with another man, Bert Rodney. “It all came of those two vile wretches thinking Jack Dawson out of town when he wasn’t; for he was right there following them around in their perambulations. And the outcome is that Mr. Rodney has his beauty spoiled they say forever; the shot came very near being fatal.” (At Fault, Page 149)

Works Cited
1. Chopin, Kate. "The Awakening and Other Short Stories" 1st ed. Vol. 1. New York: Oxford UP, 2000. Print. Ser. 1. (Page 127).
2. Chopin, Kate. At Fault; a scholarly edition with background readings. 1st ed. Vol. 1. Knoxville: University of Tennessee, 2001. Print. Ser. 1. (Page 149).

Mark Twain on Realism

The realist movement emerged around the nineteenth century and exposed the true and sometimes harsh reality of everyday southern life. Most literature that focused on realism brought into light the social agendas and social class issues for the working middle-class that so many had turned the other way to. Realism was mainly a response to the preceding Romanticist movement, which depicted how life should be rather than life in actuality, based upon personal fantasies that are not always plausible. The realist movement is also a response to the rising interest in science and rationalism.

Mark Twain is a good example of a realist during this time period. His stories are centered around characters modeled from throughout his life and based upon actual events. For example Huckleberry Finn, one of Mark Twain's most famous stories, is a story about a young boy and the abuse he endures at the hands of his alcoholic father. The story exposes the social issues surrounding slavery and how a young boy looks beyond what society shows him is appropriate behavior towards a slave and begins to see this slave as more of a father figure and friend.


Works Cited:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://drmyers.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/marktwainloc.jpg&imgrefurl=http://drmyers.wordpress.com/2009/05/03/political-match-game-stress-in-america/&usg=__QE8c9gUDVMYrMsWaDf3yW2nx4ac=&h=1319&w=1114&sz=195&hl=en&start=2&um=1&tbnid=Tdsn1uJH-lZzDM:&tbnh=150&tbnw=127&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmark%2Btwain%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1R2ADFA_enUS343%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1

Giles, James R. "realism." In Anderson, George P., Judith S. Baughman, Matthew J. Bruccoli, and Carl Rollyson, eds. Encyclopedia of American Literature, Revised Edition: Into the Modern: 1896–1945, Volume 3. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2008. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= EAmL1326&SingleRecord=True (accessed November 12, 2009).

Quinn, Edward. "realism." A Dictionary of Literary and Thematic Terms, Second Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= Gfflithem0706&SingleRecord=True (accessed November 12, 2009).

Quinn, Edward. "realism and naturalism in American literature." A Dictionary of Literary and Thematic Terms, Second Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= Gfflithem0707&SingleRecord=True (accessed November 12, 2009).

Introduction to Realism Movement in American Literature

In order to gain a fuller understanding of the American transformations of literature, it is essential to first explore and comprehend one of the most important literary movements known as the Realist Movement. This movement which includes many of America’s most influential authors such as Mark Twain, Kate Chopin, and Upton Sinclair help to explain the evolution of literary processes as they unraveled throughout the nineteenth century. As a crucial part of America’s history, the study of the subject can also expand ones knowledge on the many social, cultural, and generational perspectives of the times. We will learn that the rise of realism in literature cannot be minimized to simply a literary tactic, but we will see instead that it was a way of life which completely dominated the nation’s atmosphere. It was a way of life that stood in very sharp contrast to the preceding literary movements such as the Romantic Movement. Unlike the Romantics, the realist’s loyal reporting on the grim reality of everyday life caused a deep schism from the traditional standards of literature. As we utilize all of this information, we can gain a richer experience in all of our readings.