Overview

Following the Civil War, American literature shifted from the idealism of Romanticism to the grounded reality of everyday life. Realism and Naturalism explored society, class, and determinism through characters shaped by environment, economy, and chance. Writers in this era captured the complexity of a rapidly changing America.

Key Themes and Authors

• Realism:
  • Mark Twain – The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: Satirized social norms, racism, and hypocrisy through vernacular style.
  • Henry James – Daisy Miller, The Portrait of a Lady: Focused on psychological realism and transatlantic moral dilemmas.
  • William Dean Howells – The Rise of Silas Lapham: Portrayed middle-class life and ethical struggle with subtle irony.
• Naturalism:
  • Stephen Crane – The Red Badge of Courage: Examined fear and instinct in the Civil War’s moral confusion.
  • Frank Norris – McTeague: Depicted human behavior as shaped by heredity and social forces.
  • Theodore Dreiser – Sister Carrie: Highlighted economic determinism and social alienation.
• Regionalism and Local Color:
  • Kate Chopin – The Awakening: Captured gender roles and female autonomy in Creole Louisiana.
  • Bret Harte and Sarah Orne Jewett: Brought attention to distinct American dialects and communities.
• Social Commentary:
  • Booker T. Washington – Up from Slavery: Autobiographical account advocating education and racial uplift.
  • W.E.B. Du Bois – The Souls of Black Folk: Introduced the concept of “double consciousness.”

Quick Tip

This period peeled back illusions and portrayed life as it was. Understand how Realism emphasized character over plot, Naturalism exposed social forces, and regionalism gave voice to America’s diverse settings and stories.