Realism in Literature: Origins, Characteristics and Evolution

Realism

An artistic movement that sought to represent reality as closely as possible with the highest degree of verisimilitude.

Origin and Evolution

Realism appeared in France in the first half of the nineteenth century. It evolved alongside urban society and industry, supported by an established bourgeoisie.

In Spain, it arrived in 1870 after "The Glorious" revolution and reached its heyday in the 1880s.

Realism and Naturalism

Naturalism was driven by Émile Zola, who proposed applying the scientific method to literature. He achieved this by describing and analyzing the human being as a product of their environment, historical context, and biological heritage.

In Spain, strict naturalism was often rejected, as writers championed free will and humor. However, Spanish naturalists still incorporated key themes and techniques:

• Detailed and documented descriptions.
• Reduced intervention by the narrator.
• Greater focus on the internal thoughts and speech of characters.
• The influence of environment, physiology, education, and family on character behavior.

Characteristics of the Realist Novel

Detailed and Documented Descriptions

Writers utilized observation and documentation to reflect reality. These explanatory descriptions were functional, serving to characterize and justify the behavior of the characters.

Language

Realist authors used common linguistic varieties—geographical, social, and situational—to reflect the narrative world. Through language, they achieved a precise characterization of environments and individuals, revealing a character's origin, socio-cultural level, and current situation.

Themes, Plot, and Characters

The conflict between the individual and society is central, often linked to the opposition between society and nature. The individual (the misfit) faces society and is frequently defeated.

The realist novel features a unique combination of history and private life, where:

• Historical facts are alluded to within the story and conversations.
• Parallels are established between public events and private lives.
• Rural and urban settings are depicted.
• The story follows a chronological order.
• The narrative is organized through contrasts in situations, characters, and worldviews.
• Characters represent specific social groups while maintaining individual personalities that fight and evolve.