Realism and The Red Badge of Courage

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Realism andThe Red Badge of Courage
Realism in Red Badge of Courage
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1865-1900 A Time of Great Turmoil

• -- Civil War just ended
• Reconstruction
• Urbanization
• Technological advances

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Realism Characteristic Reality

• Selective presentation and faithful
  representation of reality, even at expense of
  plot.
• Portrayed closely and in comprehensive detail.
• Events must be plausible
• Avoids sensational, dramatic elements of Romantic
  novels.

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Realism Characteristic Character

• Character is more important than action and plot
• Often includes complex ethical choices
• Communicates the complexities of life

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Realism Characteristic Character, contd

• Characters appear in their real complexity of
  mood, personality, and motive.
• Decisions tie into their past and their social
  class
• Novel typically served the interests of the
  aspiring middle class.

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Realism Characteristic Diction

• Natural vernacular
• Not heightened or poetic
• Tone comic, satiric, or matter-of-fact