Realism Naturalism and Regionalism Comparative Table

REALISM - NATURALISM - REGIONALISM

Comparative Table

Realism

Naturalism

Regionalism

It emerged after the Civil War, from 1865 to 1900. It stands against Romanticism and aims to portray the harsh realities of life, providing readers with an authentic sense of "local color."

REALISM

It is a literary movement that emerged in the late 19th century and early 20th century in the United States.

Naturalist writers were concerned with the impact of social and natural forces on the individual

It was a response to the fast changes in society and the economy, and a desire to capture the diverse cultures and landscapes across America.

It emphasizes the portrayal of ordinary people and life within an objective lens while paying attention to details. Characterization is more important than the plot.

They tended to show characters victimized by brutal forces and unable to control their lives.

NATURALISM

Characteristics: scientific detachment.determinism, pessimism, poverty, miserable conditions, indifferent or hostile conditions

Used colloquial (everyday) dialogue and vernacular language just like common people do in everyday life.

REGIONALISM

Some influences on American Regionalism literature were Southwest humor, Down East humor, and Realism.

NarratorAmerican Regionalism literature includes a narrator whose function is to translate the region’s culture for the reader. The narrator can be from the area or an outsider. The reader must determine the narrator’s reliability when they are also a character in the story. The narrator’s tone is usually sympathetic or ironic.

SettingIn an American Regionalism text, the setting is significant as it directs attention to a specific region. Regionalist authors prioritize the area's defining characteristics over plot when telling their story. The plot, if there is one, focuses on the customs and beliefs of the region. Geographical features of the region are integrated into the text, often serving as a source of conflict or functioning as a character.

Psychology was becoming popular as a field of study during the Realist movement. In fact, Freud's ideas were developed towards the end of the 18th century.The growing interest in psychology might be why psychological character studies are commonly seen in realist literature. Also, many American realist writers were interested in critiquing the conditions of their societies. They sought to illustrate the acts of racism, prejudice, or social injustice that were widespread at the time.

The most important characteristics of American realism are; attention to detail, complex characterization and social criticism. The originator of the movement in America was William Dean Howells, and some other significant realist authors are Mark Twain, Stephen Crane and Edith Wharton.