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The conflict between realism and romanticism: Why did 19th-century writers choose truth?
On the literary stage of the 19th century, the fierce confrontation between realism and romanticism formed an important cultural debate. Realist writers emphasized the shaping of reality and the recording of daily life. This trend became the core driving force for the development of literature at that time. Why these writers choose to respond to the anxiety and confusion of the times with truth has become an issue worthy of discussion in contemporary literary criticism.
Realism aims at showing people and things in life truthfully without using romantic rendering.
Realism, as a literary genre, originated from French literature and Russian literature in the mid-19th century. Unlike Romanticism, which emphasized emotions and ideals, Realism focused more on realistic depictions of society and daily life. The writers delicately capture those familiar life scenes, making ordinary descriptions trigger deeper thoughts.
They choose to reflect ordinary stories from the middle and lower classes and reject idealized and dramatic expressions.
The Romantic movement in the 19th century reflected the society's desire for personal freedom and emotional catharsis at that time. However, with the advancement of the Industrial Revolution, the social structure underwent drastic changes, and literature also analyzed the impact of these changes. Realist writers believe that art should truly reflect social issues and human nature, rather than remaining in a beautified ideal world.
Realism emphasizes the presentation of "objective reality" and attempts to explore the human condition through empirical methods.
Many literary critics believe that realism is essentially an artistic creation that uses scientific methods to understand human behavior, which is inseparable from the emerging scientific thinking at the time. Writers use scientific rigor to reveal the truth about life and explore the intricate relationships between people, their environment, and heredity.
For example, social realism is the embodiment of this literary expression, focusing on the daily life of the working class and the poor, criticizing and revealing the social structures that lead to these conditions. Kitchen-sink realism shows the complexity of the lives of Britain's workers and poor, documenting their struggles and existence with vivid humor.
In this context, realism is not only a literary trend, but also a response to society.
Historical realist works are based on real historical events. For example, Emily Brontë's "Jane Aire" has both romantic elements and social criticism characteristics, showing that the writer strives to balance these two styles in his writing. The attempt also revealed the limitations and challenges faced by women at that time.
Looking back, with the rise of modernism in the 20th century, many established literary norms and moral values of the 19th century were completely deconstructed, which caused the literary world to undergo a subversive transformation. Forming a critique of existing social structures and universal values, it adds a new layer of complexity to self-expression.
Many writers further extend from the material level to the psychological and emotional level to explore the inner reality of the individual.
Looking back at history, it is not difficult to find that the reason why realism became an important literary trend at that time is closely related to social changes, the evolution of philosophy, and mankind's search for self-identity. In this turbulent era, writers continue to reflect on and redefine the role and obligations of literature. This process also promotes the diversification of writers' personal styles.
This makes us reflect on how literature should reflect our reality in today's ever-changing society? Is this still a necessary literary calling?
