Which Of The Following Was Not An Element Of Realism

Which of the Following Was NOT an Element of Realism? Deconstructing a Literary Movement

Realism, a dominant literary movement of the 19th century, aimed to depict life as it truly was, rejecting the idealized and romanticized portrayals of previous eras. But what exactly constituted "realism"? Understanding its core tenets is crucial to identifying elements that did not belong. This article delves into the defining characteristics of realism and explores options that fall outside its purview.

Core Tenets of Literary Realism

Before we can identify what wasn't an element of realism, we must establish a firm understanding of its key features. Realism, as a literary movement, prided itself on:

1. Verisimilitude: The Appearance of Truth

Realist writers strived for verisimilitude, the appearance of truth. This wasn't about strict factual accuracy, but about creating a believable and relatable world for the reader. Characters, settings, and events felt authentic and plausible, even if fictional.

2. Focus on the Ordinary: Everyday Life and Experiences

Realism shifted the focus from aristocratic heroes and extraordinary adventures to the everyday lives of ordinary people. The mundane, the routine, and the struggles of the common person became central themes. This emphasis on the commonplace contributed significantly to the movement's relatable and accessible nature.

3. Objective Narration: Minimizing Authorial Intrusion

Realist narratives often employed an objective or detached narrative voice. Authors minimized authorial intrusion, allowing the story to unfold through dialogue, action, and character interactions, rather than through overt commentary or judgment. This fostered a sense of immediacy and allowed readers to draw their own conclusions.

4. Detailed Descriptions: Accurate and Evocative Settings

Realism prioritized detailed and accurate descriptions of settings, characters, and events. These descriptions weren't merely decorative; they served to ground the narrative in a tangible reality, creating a sense of place and time. The descriptions were often evocative, painting vivid pictures in the reader's mind.

5. Psychological Realism: Exploring Inner Lives

While focusing on the external world, realist writers also explored the inner lives of their characters. They delved into the complexities of human psychology, exploring motivations, emotions, and internal conflicts with a level of depth previously unseen in literature. This exploration of internal realities added another layer of verisimilitude.

6. Social Commentary: Reflecting Contemporary Issues

Many realist novels served as social commentary, reflecting the social, political, and economic realities of the time. They often addressed issues such as poverty, inequality, class conflict, and the changing social landscape, prompting readers to consider the complexities of their own societies.

Elements Often Mistaken for, or Conflicting with, Realism

Now that we've established the core tenets, let's consider elements that are often confused with realism or actively contradict its principles:

1. Romanticism: Idealization and Emotionalism

Romanticism, a preceding literary movement, championed idealized characters, heroic narratives, and emotional intensity. Realism, in contrast, rejected such embellishments. While some realist works might contain moments of emotional depth, the overall tone and approach differed significantly from the overt emotionalism of romantic literature. The focus on the idealized, the fantastical, and the subjective experience are all antithetical to realism.

2. Gothic Fiction: Supernatural and the Macabre

Gothic fiction, with its emphasis on the supernatural, the macabre, and atmospheric suspense, stands in stark contrast to realism's focus on the everyday and the plausible. While some realist novels might incorporate elements of suspense or mystery, the core of the narrative remains grounded in reality, avoiding supernatural elements.

3. Sentimentalism: Excessive Emotional Appeal

Sentimentalism, with its emphasis on excessive emotional appeals and idealized portrayals of virtue and emotion, clashes with realism's objective approach. Realist literature aimed for authenticity, even if it meant portraying unpleasant or morally ambiguous characters and situations. Sentimental narratives, on the other hand, often prioritize emotional manipulation over truthful representation.

4. Naturalism: Deterministic and Pessimistic

While sharing some similarities with realism, naturalism takes a more deterministic and pessimistic view of human life. Naturalist writers often depicted characters as driven by forces beyond their control, highlighting the influence of heredity, environment, and social forces. While realism acknowledges the impact of these factors, it doesn't necessarily embrace the same degree of determinism or pessimism. Realism allows for agency and individual choice, elements often absent in naturalistic narratives.

5. Magical Realism: Blending Fantasy and Reality

Magical realism blends elements of fantasy and reality, creating a world where magical events occur within a seemingly ordinary setting. This contrasts sharply with realism’s adherence to the plausible and the tangible. While both may employ detailed descriptions, the underlying premise – the acceptance of magic as a normal part of life – separates them entirely.

6. Modernism: Experimentation and Subjectivity

Modernism, a later movement, experimented with narrative techniques, stream-of-consciousness, and subjective perspectives. Realism, by contrast, prioritized objective narration and clear storytelling. Modernist writers often rejected traditional narrative structures and embraced fragmentation and ambiguity, which were generally avoided by realist authors.

7. Postmodernism: Metafiction and Irony

Postmodernism, characterized by metafiction, irony, and the deconstruction of traditional narratives, also stands in contrast to realism. Realist novels typically aim for a coherent and believable narrative, while postmodern works often play with narrative conventions and undermine the notion of objective truth.

Conclusion: Identifying the "Not" in Realism

Understanding the core principles of realism—verisimilitude, focus on the ordinary, objective narration, detailed descriptions, psychological depth, and social commentary—allows us to identify elements that fall outside its scope. Options that prioritize idealized portrayals (Romanticism, Sentimentalism), supernatural elements (Gothic fiction), deterministic views (Naturalism), or experimental narrative techniques (Modernism and Postmodernism) are all examples of literary movements that contrast sharply with realism's commitment to portraying life as it truly is. Each of these literary movements, while offering unique insights and perspectives, fundamentally differs from realism in its approach, objectives, and stylistic choices. By understanding these differences, we can appreciate the nuances of literary history and the unique contributions of each movement. The key to identifying what wasn't an element of realism lies in recognizing its defining commitment to the authentic portrayal of everyday life within a plausible and relatable framework.