ENGL 2210 World Literature II

Realism: Study Guide

1. Describe the political changes that took place in Europe in the 19th century.
2. What did "liberty" mean in different countries?
3. What was the role of the middle class?
4. What was the role of the Industrial Revolution in the economic and social changes?
5. What was the the role of science?
6. What was the view of religion?
7. What was the Protestant view of religion?
8. Describe the view that the realists had toward art. Memorize the definition at the beginning of the third paragraph in the section on "Realism" on page 511.
9. What should the role of the author be in realist art and literature?
10. Zola compared the task of the realist writer to that of the scientist. What do they have in common?
11. How did the realist view of the world differ from the romantic view? (second paragraph on page 512)
12. What are some of the innovations of 19th century realism?
13. What was the role of the middle class in this new literary movement?
14. What did Chekhov have to say about art?
15. How is the writer like a chemist?
16. What aspects of life should art include as well?
17. What role should the artist's own personality and desires play in art?
18. Why might objectivity not be possible in practice?
19. What should the role of the writer be, and not be, according to the realists?