Realism is defined as an accurate representation without idealization, while naturalism is defined as a late 19th- and early 20th-century literary approach of French origin that vividly depicted social problems and viewed human beings as helpless victims of larger social and economic forces. I enjoy realist and naturalist art and literature, as it tells life as it truely is. Realism has had a profound effect on modern literature. Most novels today, apart from fantasy, are based on real life with real characters. Even tv shows, like the ever present sitcom, have been influenced by realism.
Realism was especially prevalent in France, where it produced several realist writers, such as Honore de Balzac, known for his writings on all aspects of French society, and his attention to detail. However, due to his unrealistic plots, Balzac’s writings are still pretty much Romantic writings, only with a Realist spin on them. Gustave Flaubert’s book Madame Bovary follows the parameters of Realism better than Balzac’s in that, although the plot of adultery and suicide may seem unrealistic, Flaubert does not justify it like Romantic works would. This type of writing would be a precursor for more modern Realist works.
Naturalism, a term coined by Naturalist writer Emile Zola, is much like Realism. However, Naturalism does not go into the long-winded descriptions that Realism is prone to do. Zola’s writings are written from a scientific viewpoint, in that they focus on heredity and one’s environment. Zola’s works have had a profound effect on American literature. The reality of Zola’s writings fit snugly with the American character, and would fuel future works as the film noir style detective novel.
I love realist novels like the Grapes of Wrath, which appeals to my natural sense of cynicism, but a part of me likes to escape fron reality through fantasy books like The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Both types of novels have had a profound effect on my personality.
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