19th-Century Realist Novel: Concepts & Context

Likelihood: Resembles the real, credible.

Industrial Revolution Context: Characterized by wealth accumulation and poor working conditions. The primary reader was the Bourgeoisie.

Mimesis: A copy or imitation of reality.

Influence of the Scientific Method: Emphasis on observation.

This genre was widely produced and read, characterized by its capacity for detailed descriptive narrative.

Key Characteristics of Realism

1. Careful and detailed observation.
2. Description of the environment, customs, and characters (from different social classes).
3. Effect of objectivity.
4. Standard of plausibility (the narration can occur in extra-textual reality).
5. Intent: To contribute to social change.
6. Inclusion of voices belonging to different classes.

Narrative Techniques

Direct Speech: The narrator presents the character's exact words, typically using quotation marks ("...") or dialogue lines.

Indirect Speech: The narrator reports the character's words within their own speech.

Stream of Consciousness: Represents the character's thoughts, often presented without standard punctuation or grammar.

Irony: Used by the narrator to articulate criticism of social classes.

Historical and Social Context

• Strengthening of the bourgeoisie after the French Revolution.
• Progress: Belief in a unique historical direction, improving life through technology.
• Positivism: Attempts to explain social phenomena from a scientific perspective (observing repeated facts to create laws).

Value: Emphasis on utility; art should serve a purpose, opposing the idea of art for beauty's sake.

Impact of Industrialization: Rise of the proletariat; city life (where factories were located) often involved inhumane conditions, low wages, and lack of labor laws. Art served as description and reporting, aiming to depict reality comprehensively.

Literature and History

Literature and history are distinct genres of discourse, each with ethical and informative intentions. History is defined as the scientific narrative of past events. Literature attempts to provide a credible account of a historical period, whether recent or distant (characteristic of Realism). Literature engages with the concepts of Truth (facts, reality) and Lie (fiction, invention).

Author's Purposes: To find meaning in the past, interpret it, and relate to it.

Authorial Strategies

1. Giving voice to characters or silenced groups.
2. Humanizing heroes.
3. Presenting alternative versions that criticize the "official" narrative.