5.02 The Rise of Realism

To learn more about realism, regionalism, and naturalism, visit:

American Realism: 1865-1910 from the University of West Georgia

To obtain a better grasp on "local color," visit:

Regionalism and Local Color Fiction, 1865-1895

The questions below will need to be completed after investigating the information above (and as always - use complete sentences in your responses; it is important to your editor):

1. Define the term "Muckraker." Be sure to include the name of the person who created it.
   
   
2. Naturalism was a literary movement of the late 19th century that was an extension of Realism. What was the main focus of the Naturalistic writer?
   
   
3. American Realists believed that humanity's freedom of choice was limited by the power of outside forces. How would this view differ from the perspective of the Romantic writer (think of someone like Emerson)?
   
   
4. In your opinion, based on what you have read, why would post Civil War, newly industrialized America be attracted to the Realistic movement?
   
   
5. What is meant by the term "local color"?