Critical Analysis of Realism and Modernism
In American literature, various materials have been discussed. These materials date back centuries ago, especially during the civil wars. These works of literature are so many that we cannot discuss them under a single paper, it is with this concern that we have selected only two articles, the first being on the realism period, which was authored by Mark Twain, and the second on Modernism period, which was authored by Virginia Woolf. For this essay we will use these two pieces of literature to evaluate some of the subjective elements, examining various controversial points of view as presented by these authors.
Based on American literature, realism was a literary technique that was in practice between the mid-19th centuries to early 20th century. Primarily, this was a response to the romantics’ movement that was launched in the early 19th century, with belief that men could in some way overcome evil, describing to be a type of God (Sawyer n.p). However, the realists came up with a different perspective that man was simply a man. An excellent example of those with these stands was Mark Twain. However, from this perspective, a lot of controversies emerged, especially during the rise of naturalists, who argued that people have no choice, and their lives are mounted by the external environment. According to realists, humans had some form of control, the central focus is on the middle class.
Additionally, the key features revealed man’s ability to choose and even beyond. Some of the choices include the choice of complex ethical issues, identification of the importance of character. Twain stands as one of the credited realists, for his excellent works, some of which include “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and The Man Who Corrupted Hadleyberg.” These three credited jobs had a central focus on people in the middle class with a basis on complexities associated with ethical choices (Harnsberger n.p). The entire story is based on a middle-class character, defined as a sack of gold, which acts as catalysts and what they went through to be what they are in the story. In particular, Twain a paragraph to explain what he feels about a sack and the rest of the time expounding on character, their characters, their insecurities not leaving their dialogues.
Moreover, Twain sets his novels, in a recognizable location, with vast details concerning his character and also including acute observations. The stories presented in the novels although complex they are interesting, and are characterized by flawed characters. These characters are often described in a plot that in most of the time, gives priority to emotional conflict as opposed to external events. They also contain social commentary, social realism, and offering critique to political or social issues (Sawyer n.p). Based on these stories we can conclude that Twain’s stories are realists in nature, depending on the flow and the elements presented above. Important in gaining adequate conviction is the fact that he uses vernacular language, and never getting high in his diction. Additionally, the fact that his stories are hinged on acute attention, which makes the stories very objective. Therefore, we understand why Twain is the most celebrated realist, and more importantly a practitioner of realism.
On the other hand, the modernism period was described by the literary and artistic movement that took off, at the beginning of the 20th century. The reason for the selection of this movement and realism is because the two happened in relatively the same era. The movement was primarily in response to the increased urbanization and technology, a period that was described as the industrial revolution. Similar to realists, Virginia Woolf, a modernist writer of the time, had much interest in individuals’, internal experience, drawing various theories concerning unconsciousness in mining their characters, more specific on their inner lives (Gill n.p). On the contrary, a difference that existed between the two groups is that the modernists went the extra mile and showed interest in stylistic experimentation and fashioning of new literary forms. These extra efforts were to explore the breakdowns that exist in the traditional modes of communication as well as questioning the reality of nature. More importantly, the majority of modernist work was based on automation, as the 20th century begun and aftermath the First World War.
Woolf, presents her stories and novels, with historical moments and in the art that targeted society. She describes that patterns of culture would be formless and eventually break, which happens upon her death. In her modernist perspective, she feels offended that she was not taken to the university as the brothers did, to the extent that she rebukes the father for failing to get formal education (Woolf n.p). She was greatly attacked by mental illness, following the death of her mother and later the father, which made her attempt suicide. Despite these experiences, she highlights her extreme excitement concerning the people of the middle race, just as Twain, wherein most of the occasion she talks valuably about them.
Particularly, most of all the articles that are deemed greatest and presented by Virginia Woof, revolve around the perception of human nature. In this perception, the concern was on the non-linear plots which were supported by experimental proses. Additionally, she greatly influenced the feminist critics and historians of her time and those of later times, with a significant effect on uncovering the unbiased history of Western World women (Woolf n.p). This makes her work feel relevant and fresh as it was then, even today. Some of the most outstanding novels include the night and day, whose central focus was on overcoming class as well as gender prejudices. Other works include “Mrs. Dalloway”, taking place one day after WWI, and “To The Lighthouse,” which was drawn on her own experiences while she was a child. These are just a few of the novels that she wrote, there are alloy more, which were fictional and humorous, with the writing skill sought by the readings she gains from journals.
Both Mark Twain and Virginia Woolf can be described as informative and impressive. Throughout their jobs, there is evidence of expertise in writing, art critic, from the readings these readings, we have the flow of ideas. This creates insights into the world and interconnectedness to the natural environment. These articles are fed up, with vast wisdom, high compassion, and writing beauty. Additionally, the authors systematically present the jobs, with ideas that connect well with each other. Across the centuries, getting better, thus winning awards. The connection between humans and their control is so essential, even amid the changes that are accrued to technological changes. This also concerns appreciating women in modern society, eliminating all forms of discrimination against gender and race, which Woolf tries to present in most of her novels.
Works Cited
Gill, G. Virginia Woolf and the Women Who Shaped Her World. Boston, MA [etc.: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2019. Print.
Harnsberger, Caroline. Mark Twain at Your Fingertips: A Book of Quotations. Dover Publications, 2012. Internet resource.
Sawyer, Tom. Originals: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Place of publication not identified: OM Books International, 2019. Print.
Woolf, Virginia, Associate P. E. M. Hussey, and Dr J. Marcus. Three Guineas. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Trade & Reference Publishers, 2006. Internet resource.Bottom of Form
