social realism in 19th century novels

Social realism in 19th - century novels often showed the harsh living conditions of the working class. For example, in Dickens' works like 'Oliver Twist', he depicted the poverty and exploitation in London's slums. The characters faced hunger, abuse, and the cold reality of a society divided by class.

One main feature was the accurate depiction of the working - class life. Novels showed their daily struggles, from finding work to feeding their families.

Well, they were highly descriptive. The authors painted detailed pictures of the physical and social environments. Take Tolstoy's 'War and Peace' for instance. He described the Russian society during the Napoleonic era in great detail, from the grand palaces to the humble cottages. Social realism was key too. These novels aimed to expose the truth about society, be it the exploitation of the working class or the hypocrisy of the upper class. And the characters were believable. They had real - life emotions and motives, making the readers feel as if they were reading about real people rather than fictional creations.

In 18th - century novels, realism manifested through detailed descriptions of daily life. Writers like Daniel Defoe in 'Robinson Crusoe' depicted the practical aspects of survival on an island, from building shelters to finding food. This focus on the ordinary and the tangible was a key aspect of realism in these novels.

One of the famous ones is Gustave Flaubert. His 'Madame Bovary' is a classic of 19th - century realism. It delved deep into the life of a woman trapped in a loveless marriage and her desperate attempts to find fulfillment. Mark Twain in America was also a significant author. His works like 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' showed a realistic view of American society at that time, with its racial issues and the simple yet complex life along the Mississippi River. Additionally, Thomas Hardy in England was known for his novels like 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles' which depicted the harsh rural life and social constraints.

Realism in 19th - century novels often had a focus on social commentary. Authors were concerned with the social, economic, and political issues of their time. They used their works to expose problems such as industrialization's impact on the poor, the role of women in society, and the corruption in institutions. It was a way to make readers aware of the real - life situations that needed change. Writers like Leo Tolstoy in 'Anna Karenina' examined the moral and social fabric of Russian society through the stories of his characters.

One main feature was the accurate description of settings. Novels would describe real - world locations in detail, like the city streets and the countryside. This made the story feel more grounded in reality.

The 19th century was an important period in Chinese history, and it was also a period when Chinese society experienced many changes. During this period, China's politics, economy, culture and other aspects had undergone tremendous changes. In terms of politics, the Qing Dynasty was in a dilemma due to the invasion of foreign powers and corrupt government officials. The Qing government was forced to sign many unequal agreements, losing a large area of territory and wealth, which seriously violated the sovereignty of Chinese society. In terms of economy, the 19th century was the period of decline of China's feudal society. With the development of the commodity economy and the emergence of the sprout of capitalist society, China's social and economic structure began to change. Many farmers gradually joined the ranks of industrial production and began to own their own enterprises and family factories. At the same time, the development of the urban economy also promoted the process of industrialization. Many businessmen and scholars began to come into contact with western ideas and accept the concept of capitalists. In terms of culture, the 19th century was also a period of cultural prosperity in Chinese history. Many traditional cultures were inherited and developed, such as Confucianism, Chinese medicine, martial arts, poetry, novels, and so on. At the same time, western culture began to spread in China. Many scholars began to come into contact with and accept western culture, and began to create and translate western cultural works. The 19th century was a very important period in Chinese history. Chinese society experienced many changes, which provided a lot of valuable experience and resources for today's China.

The 19th century was one of the golden ages of novel writing. Many novels reflected the characters and social phenomena of that time. Here are some examples: Jane Eyre-Charlotte Bronte: It described the growth of a young girl, Jane Eyre. She overcame all kinds of difficulties and challenges to become an independent woman through her independence, courage and strong character. 2 One Hundred Years of Solitude-Garcia Marquez: This is a magical realism novel describing the family history of seven generations. The protagonist, Ursuline, was a strong, brave, and far-sighted woman who had achieved her dreams and goals through constant hard work and perseverance. 3 Pride and Premises-Jane Austen: This is a classic romance novel about the love story between Elizabeth and Darcy. Elizabeth was a smart, kind, upright and thoughtful woman. She won true love through her wisdom and determination. 4 The Catcher in the Rye-J.D. Salinger: This is a Bildungsroman about the growth of a teenager, Holden Caulfield. Holden was a lonely, anxious, and confused young man. He found his place and direction by befriending the Catcher in the Rye. The characters and social phenomena in these novels reflected the problems and contradictions of European society at that time. For example, in the 19th century, European society faced the challenges brought about by the industrial revolution and technological progress. People were faced with employment, poverty, loneliness and social problems. These problems were fully reflected in the novel. At the same time, these novels also showed the elegant demeanour and status of women at that time. Many women became an important force in society through their independence, courage, and strong character.

It provided a foundation for modern literature's focus on the real world. Modern writers often look back to 19th - century realism for inspiration on how to depict life accurately. For example, the idea of complex characters with mixed motives comes from this era.