Realism and Naturalism

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[Image: Henry James, author]


Realism and Naturalism was applied to American fiction of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and emphasized regional dialects and customs. It would sometimes depict the excesses, hypocracies and short-comings of a culture undergoing radical social change. Thus, Henry James' writing reflected his interest in psychology, human desire, reluctance, motivation and relationships through the minds, words, and actions of well-developed characters such as Isabel Archer in his novel The Portrait of a Lady.

(The Portrait of a Lady (1996) Official Trailer)

Characteristics of Realism:
  • Closely depicts reality in detail.
  • Character is more important than the plot. Characters depict the plot.
  • Characters resemble reality given the depiction of their temperament and motives (often dependent upon their social class, their past and each other.)
  • Events will appear to be plausible.
  • Diction is vernacular.
  • Objectivity in presentation becomes increasingly important.
  • Interior or psychological realism is portrayed in various forms.
(Realism depicts the characters thoughts, emotions, reactions, and actions in relation to events that are seemingly mundane and familiar; it is the truthful treatment of material.)
  • Insistence or experience of the commonplace.
  • Emphasis is on morality; usually intrinsic, relativistic between people and society.
  • Scenic representation is important.
  • Humans are in control of their own destiny and are superior to their circumstances.
Sub-Genres:
  • International- Compares cultures
Novel of Manners:
  • External focus on manners and customs of particular class or particular time.
  • Deals with people in society.
  • Writers use customs for characterization.
Additional Information:
  • Faithful representation of life.
  • Middle class and preoccupations
  • Scenes of humble life
  • Criticism of social conditions
  • Characters are center of interest as opposed to a plot.
  • Subjects are portrayed with simplicity and respect, but little elaboration.
  • Honest, matter-of-fact style objects or figures are represented impartially and objectively.


Work Cited: Dudley, John. "Realism and Naturalism". In Oxford Bibliographies in American Literature. 13-Sep-2016.

Additional Resources:
Literature Network - Literary Periods - Naturalism