American Realism

• When did the American realism movement begin and end?

  It began around the end of the Civil War in 1865 and lasted into the early 1900s.
• What was a key shift in American literature during the realism movement?

  Writers moved away from idealism and sentimentality, aiming to portray life as it truly was.
• Name some authors associated with American realism.

  Robert Frost, Mark Twain, Charles W. Chesnutt, and Henry James.
• What characteristics of realism can be seen in the excerpt from The Revolt of Mother?

  Omission of final consonants, use of slang, and arguments between the characters.
• What does the dialogue between the husband and wife in The Revolt of Mother reveal?

  It highlights social inequality, with the man believing the woman's role is confined to the household while he controls the farm.
• What did realist literature focus on?

  The everyday lives of common individuals and the social issues they faced.
• How did realist writers avoid bias in their writing?

  They aimed to capture life as objectively as possible, avoiding editorializing or a biased perspective.
• How did realist writers critique society?

  They framed social critique implicitly through plot, character, and theme, allowing readers to interpret the deeper meanings.