Unit 4: Realism in America 1

Unit 4: Realism in America

Semester 4 - Week 3
Section 2: American Literature
Unit 2:American Realism
Time allotted: 2 to 3 sessions
Weekly Workload : 1 hour 30 mn
Description:
Late eighteenth century, American Realism, Genteel tradition, Daisy Miller.
Objectives:
1. The novella and the genre

Pre-requisites: A reading of Daisy Miller

Lesson Plan

A Study of American Realism

A Study of an Excerpt from the novel Daisy Miller
Lecture 1: Realism in America
Realism in American literature refers to a literary movement that emerged in the late
19th century and continued into the early 20th century. Realist writers sought to
portray life and society as it truly was, focusing on everyday experiences and the
struggles of ordinary people. This movement was a reaction against the romantic and
idealized depictions that were prevalent in earlier literature. Key characteristics of
realism in American literature include:

1. Accurate Representation of Life:

 Realist writers aimed to provide a faithful and accurate representation of the

details of everyday life, often depicting the social, economic, and political
realities of the time.

2. Focus on the Ordinary:

 Realism emphasized the lives of ordinary people, as opposed to the

extraordinary or the romantic. It explored the challenges, hardships, and joys of
the common person.
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3. Social Critique:

 Realist literature often included a critical examination of social institutions and

class structures. Writers exposed the injustices and inequalities in society,
addressing issues such as poverty, industrialization, and the impact of societal
changes.

4. Character Depth and Psychological Realism:

 Realist authors delved into the psychological depths of their characters,

exploring their motivations, thoughts, and emotions. This emphasis on
psychological realism added complexity to characters and made them more
relatable.

5. Detailed Descriptions:

 Realist literature was characterized by detailed and meticulous descriptions of

settings, characters, and events. This attention to detail aimed to create a vivid
and accurate representation of the world being depicted.

6. Regionalism and Local Color:

 Realist writers often incorporated regionalism and local color, emphasizing the
unique characteristics of specific regions and portraying the dialects, customs,
and landscapes of different areas.

7. Influence of Science:

 The scientific advancements of the time influenced realist literature. Writers

approached their work with an observational and empirical mindset, seeking to
understand and represent the world through careful observation.

8. Rejection of Romanticism:

 Realism rejected the idealized and sentimental aspects of romantic literature.

Instead of focusing on heroic or larger-than-life characters, realist writers
depicted individuals facing the challenges of everyday existence.

Some notable American realist writers include:

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 Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens): Known for works like "The Adventures of
Huckleberry Finn" and "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer."

 Henry James: Famous for novels such as "The Portrait of a Lady" and "The
Bostonians."

 Edith Wharton: Notable for novels like "The Age of Innocence" and "Ethan Frome."

 Stephen Crane: Known for "The Red Badge of Courage."

 William Dean Howells: A leading figure in American literary realism, with works
like "The Rise of Silas Lapham."

The realist movement in American literature reflected the changing social and
economic landscape of the late 19th century, and its influence continued to shape
literary trends well into the 20th century.

Analysis of the Excerpt from Daisy Miller

The excerpt in hand is extracted from the American Realist novellabelonging to

the Genteel Tradition entitled Daisy Miller written by Henry Jamesin 1878 who was
an American expat. The story is set in Europe, and follows the adventure of an
American young woman named Daisy Miller, as she challenges the social conventions
of the old world.

The novella is about an American seventeen year old girl, characterized by her
beauty, named Daisy Miller. She travels from America to different places around
Europe, and settles in Vevey, Switzerland, where the narration of the novella begins.
At the hotel garden; Daisy met another American expat, Mr Winterbourne, who was
conversing with her younger brother Randolph. After multiple encounters, Mr
Winterbourne is attracted to Daisy’s beauty and wishes to see her again. Daisy travels
to Rome where she meets Mr Winterbourne again. Yet, he discovers that she already
made friends in Rome including a young good-looking gentleman named Giovanelli.
Daisy makes the acquaintance of a group of Americans living in Rome and who
identified more as European aristocrats than American citizens.
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Daisy was not accepted inside the American circle, because her behaviours
were common, and did not conform to the European social norms. Daisy met her male
friend late at night in public places, like the garden where Mrs Walker tried to advise
her to change her habits yet she ignores her warning. The next day Daisy is rejected in
Mrs Walker’s party and is shunned from the American circle in Rome. Later, different
encounters with Mr Winterbourne make him think that her relationship with Mr
Giovanelli was romantic. Daisy was trying to make Mr Winterbourne jealous while
pretending she was engaged to the Italian young man.

One evening, Daisy went to the Colosseum with Mr Giovanelli near midnight to
see the moon at the historical site. Mr Winterbourne arrives and over-hears Daisy
saying wicked things about him, comparing him to a lion ready to attack and devour
them. He feels deceit in Daisy and decides not to respect her anymore. Mr
Winterbourne decides to address her and Mr Giovanelli to warn them against the
danger of staying in the Colosseum at night because of the Malaria/Roman fever.
Daisy, as stubborn as she is, rejects his warning and thinks that she will be safe if she
leaves the place before midnight.

The conversation between Daisy and Mr Winterbourne is cold and tense as she
learns from him that he has no longer any interest in her. She thus states that she does
not care if she dies because she lost his interest in her. A few days later, Mr
Winterbourne learns that Daisy was ill and that her presence in the Colosseum at
midnight was known by every American in her circle even though he did not mention
that to anyone. Daisy passed away to let Giovanelli reveal that their relationship was
purely friendly.

Daisy is a wealthy young American, who did not belong to the upper class,
which made her subject of criticism by the European society. Her family was classified
among what was referred to as the Newly-rich. Her names represents a flower that has
a short life, and is common thus reflects her behaviours. She was seen as cheap and
available to anyone that surrounded her despite her beauty and wealth. She is the
protagonist of the novella, and round because she shows truthfulness of character and
 Lecture 1: Realism in America 5

multi-dimensionality especially when she converses with Mr Winterbourne revealing

multiple emotions including love and anger.

Mr Winterbourne is a main character, he was twenty seven years old. He was

American studying in Europe. He lived with his aunt Mrs Castello who obliged him to
conform to the European values as an American expat. Unlike the other characters, Mr
Winterbourne is the only one who shows psychological depth. His thoughts are
exposed ot the reader, the entire narration is done from his own point of view and his
intimate side is explored by the author, which makes this novel a first attempt in what
is known as the psychological novel. He is round because of the psychological depth
that is revealed about him.

Mrs Constello and Mrs Walker are two American ladies living in Europe and
who represent European mindset and values. They are judgemental to Daisy and
contribute in her rebuke.

The main themes that are discussed in this novella are social class, prejudice,
and innocence. Daisy’s innocence is representative of the young American character
that breaks with everything European and which is approached by the europeans as
immature, irresponsible and low culture.

The point of view in this novella is third person limited as the narration is done
from the perspective of Mr Winterbourne who was more judgemental to Daisy in
representing her. The plot begins when Daisy and Mr Winterbourne meet in Vevey,
and complicates as they explore different historical sites which triggers attraction
between them. The plot rises as they meet again in Rome and the relationship of Daisy
and Giovanelli is discovered by Mr Winterbourne and the other ladies of the American
Circle. It reaches the climax when Daisy is first rebuked by Mrs Walker then is
discovered at the Colosseum with Mr Giovanelli. The climax is particularly influential
because Mr Winterbourne decides to quit on his feelings for her at this moment. The
plot resolves as Daisy dies of Malaria and Mr Winterbourne realizes that she was
innocent and was never engaged to Mr Giovanelli.
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The diction is latin-origin because of Henry James’ Europan background and

upbringing, and the register is formal for the traditional that is represented in the text
(the genteel tradition).

Literary devices in the novel include Daisy’s name which is an indirect

metaphor that refers to her beauty, youth and spontaneity. There is a simile in the line
“he looks at us asone of the old lions or tigers may have looked at theChristian
martyrs!” which means that Mr Winterbourne looked angry and violent as if he was
planning to attack and hurt Daisy.

The atmosphere in the novel varies from attraction, to anger, judgement, stress,
sometimes enjoyment then deceit. The tone includes disappointment, low esteem to
the character and to all American young girls represented in Daisy’s spontaneity
referred to in the novel as frivolous and flirt.

The novel presents a juxtaposition between the old world represented in the
ladies who mis-judged Daisy and sometimes Mr Winterbourne too, and on the other
side America represented in Daisy’s innocence and spontaneity. The international
theme as a main theme in the novel depicts the cultural values and lack of tolerance in
the European camp.