Realist Literature | Active Summary

Objectives

1. 🎯 Identify and differentiate the realistic literary movement from other currents such as Romanticism and Naturalism.

2. 🎯 Know the distinctive characteristics of the main Realism authors and how their works reflect the society of their times.

3. 🎯 Develop critical analysis skills that allow students to apply Realism concepts in interpreting contemporary texts and everyday situations.

Contextualization

Did you know that Realism, unlike Romanticism, sought to portray reality in a more objective and raw way? While the romantics idealized reality, the realists delved into the deeper layers of society, exposing its contradictions and problems. This literary movement was a direct response to the social and technological changes of the time, such as the Industrial Revolution, which radically transformed people's ways of life. By understanding Realism in its historical context, we can appreciate not only the works but also the criticisms and reflections on the society of that time.

Important Topics

Historical Context of Realism

Realism emerged in the context of the 19th century, a period marked by profound social, economic, and technological transformations, such as industrialization. This movement reacted against the idealizations of Romanticism, seeking to portray reality in a bare and raw manner, highlighting the living conditions of the less privileged classes and the contradictions of society.

• Influence of the Industrial Revolution: Rapid industrialization led to intense urbanization and the formation of a new social class, the bourgeoisie, which became the focus of many realist works.

• Social Critique: Realist writers explored social injustices, corruption, religious hypocrisy, and other negative aspects of society, aiming for awareness and change.

• Realism in Europe and Brazil: While in Europe authors like Émile Zola and Gustave Flaubert emphasized scientific and documentary perspectives, in Brazil, authors like Machado de Assis brought a psychological and ironic approach, adapting Realism to local characteristics.

Characteristics of Literary Realism

Literary Realism is characterized by its objectivity, the pursuit of verisimilitude, meticulous description of environments, and the psychological analysis of characters. Unlike Romanticism, it avoids sentimentality and exaggeration, preferring a narrative closer to observation and critical analysis.

• Verisimilitude: Realist works strive to be verisimilar, meaning they seem true and plausible, which implies meticulous attention to details and everyday life.

• Psychological Analysis: The focus on the psychology of characters is a striking feature, exploring their thoughts, motivations, and inner conflicts.

• Objective Narrative: Avoids direct moral judgments, allowing the reader to form their own opinions based on the events and actions of the characters.

Main Realist Authors and Works

Authors like Gustave Flaubert, Émile Zola, Machado de Assis, and Eça de Queirós are considered pillars of Realism. Their works, such as 'Madame Bovary', 'Germinal', 'Dom Casmurro', and 'O Primo Basílio', respectively, are essential for understanding the nuances and richness of the realist movement, each bringing unique contributions to social critique and realist literature.

• Gustave Flaubert: Known for his formal perfection and for 'Madame Bovary', which scandalized society by portraying a woman dissatisfied with provincial life.

• Machado de Assis: A master of irony and social critique, his works like 'Memórias Póstumas de Brás Cubas' and 'Dom Casmurro' exemplify psychological richness and realist satire.

• Émile Zola: Creator of the concept of 'experimental novel', he used the scientific method to analyze society in works like 'Germinal', which denounces the deplorable conditions of French workers.

Key Terms

• Realism: A literary movement that emerged in the 19th century as a response to the idealism of Romanticism, focusing on the objective representation of reality and social critique.

• Verisimilitude: The quality of a work that makes it appear true, close to the reality it aims to portray.

• Psychological Analysis: In-depth study of characters, exploring their motivations, conflicts, and behaviors as part of the literary plot.

To Reflect

• How did the historical context of the 19th century influence the themes addressed by realist writers compared to those of Romanticism?

• In what way can the technique of verisimilitude affect the reader's interpretation of the reality described in realist works?

• What is the importance of psychological analysis of characters in understanding and appreciating realist works, and how does this apply in our reading of contemporary works?

Important Conclusions

• We explored Realism, a literary movement that emerged in the 19th century as a reaction to Romanticism, focusing on the objective representation of reality and social critique.

• We discussed the key characteristics of Realism, such as verisimilitude, deep psychological analysis of characters, and objective narrative, which seek to portray society and the individual in a more realistic and critical way.

• We identified the main realist authors and their works, such as Gustave Flaubert, Émile Zola, Machado de Assis, and Eça de Queirós, who played fundamental roles in defining and expanding Realism.

To Exercise Knowledge

Write an essay comparing a character from a realist work with a character from a romantic work, discussing how each author approaches the psychology and conflicts of the character, and how this reflects the ideas of each literary movement.

Challenge

Create a short video reenacting a scene from daily life, using elements of Realism, such as real dialogues, common situations, and a setting that reflects the social class of the characters. Share your video on the school platform for a group discussion!

Study Tips

• Read classic and contemporary realist works, trying to identify the characteristics of Realism discussed, such as verisimilitude and psychological analysis. This will help solidify your understanding of the movement.

• Participate in book clubs or online forums to discuss realist works with others, sharing different interpretations and gaining new insights.

• Watch films or series that address social themes realistically and observe how directors and screenwriters apply elements of Realism in character and plot construction.