Critical realism in American literature Plan: Introduction

Critical realism in American literature
Plan:
Introduction

1. 
   What is critical realism in American literature.
   
2. 
   The significance and role of realism in American literature.
   
3. 
   The notable writers of critical realism of American literature.
   

Conclusion
References


Introduction
In the 18th century, literature tended to be highly romantic in nature. Literary realism hit the scene late in the 19th century, and there was a dramatic shift in style.
Instead of romanticized stories and scenes, literary realism was a literary movement that portrayed everyday life and experiences as they happened, with minimal symbolism but instead a focus on truthful storytelling.
Though it was popular in the 19th century, literary realism remains a common type of writing in modern literature. If you are considering a career or hobby in fiction writing, learning how to embrace this style is helpful.
In 18th century writing and art, Romanticism reigned. Exotic and dramatic writing was commonplace. In the 19th century France, this started to change.
In France, writers started to publish works that made stories out of everyday experiences in serial form through newspapers. Honore de Balzac was one of the first of these writers. He wrote stories with complicated characters that had detailed observations about the world around him.
Gustave Flaubert followed close behind. He defined the realist narration form that is still showing up in literature today. Soon the writing style jumped across the ocean and began to impact writers in America.
Realism soon took up root in American literary history, creating some of the most-studied American works. William Dean Howells took up the mantel of realism in America and became the first American realist author. His novels explored middle-class life in the late 1800s in America.
Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, followed not long after. His book The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which hit the shelves in 1884, was the first novel that captured the distinct voice and culture of the American South. 
Realist novels take place in the mid-1800s, just after the American Civil War, and into the early twentieth century. most novels follow the middle and lower classes, but some will explore upper-class themes. 
The main characteristic of these novels is the exploration of real life. They often critique social injustice or explore the culture of a particular area of the country. Realist authors explore everyday experiences, even those considered mundane, in an effort to explore what society is like at the time and do so as truthfully as possible.

1.