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Realism

Realism. Two categories Contemporary Realism (& Historical Fiction). Realism (Realistic fiction) . Realistic fiction attempts to portray the world as it is . Most often, “ordinary” people do ordinary things.

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Realism

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  1. Realism Two categories Contemporary Realism (& Historical Fiction)

  2. Realism (Realistic fiction) • Realistic fiction attempts to portray the world as it is. • Most often, “ordinary” people do ordinary things. • Every memorable work of fiction presents a conflict or problem that affects human beings, and how this obstacle is overcome is the story. • In realistic fiction, writers draw on their own backgrounds and observations of life around them. • When writers present a world that is happier than the one we live in, we call that “romance.” • Over the past 150 years. Children’s literature has gradually moved from a romantic view of the world toward a more realistic one.

  3. Coming-of-Age Theme • From self-absorbed and immature to maturity and understanding of one’s place in the world. (And the child’s place is usually at home) • In children’s books, the protagonist usually reaches a higher level of maturity and a great sense of self-awareness by the end of the book, but has not yet achieved adulthood. • Bildungsromanis a German term for a book that describes the trials and experiences of a young person coming into maturity. Adolescent literature is sometime bildungsroman.

  4. Humor • In fantasies, humor tends to be humor of the absurd. • In realism, humor often breaks the tension of difficult situations. • Humor can be therapeutic, helping readers to deal with the most serious issues. • Most common kinds of humor in realism • Humor of character. Interesting people do odd things. WhenKirsti repeats “Kings and Queens” to herself over and over again. • Humor of situation. Strange or awkward things happen. When the kitten falls into the pail of milk during he “milking lesson.” • Humor of language. Word plays, verbal ironies, misused words (malapropisms). When Kirsti calls the little kitten “Thor.”

  5. Contemporary Realism • Most popular genre • About “my life” “my world” • Readers can know characters quickly and it’s often easy to identify with them. • The ground rules are already established. No need to create a new world with new rules (rather, closely observe the world of today).

  6. “My Life” “My World” Contemporary realism • reflects and confirms my understanding of the world. (familiar) • Readers can see themselves in characters • But many kinds of people are seldom represented. • For example: There are very few books with deaf characters. • Most contemporary realism for children still shows the lives of white, middle class characters in the countries where they published. • expands my understanding of my world (difference) • Readers gain some understanding of people who are not like them or in conditions which are different.

  7. Realism and Society • The view of life in a realistic story reflects the societal values and attitudes of the time in which the story is set. • Until the 1960s the world in children's books typically was presented without complexity, negativity or earthly aspects. • Some general restrictions • No budding love affairs – No people of color • No liquor – No poverty • No supernatural phenomena– No abuse • No undermining of authority • No parents with serious human weaknesses • No realistic working-class speech (not even the mildest cursing) • The Vietnam War helped to change this

  8. Harriet the Spy 1964 by Louise Fitzhugh A Non-traditional girl • Dressed in a sweatshirt • Spied on neighbors • Neglected by her wealthy parents • Underwent psychotherapy • Visited her nanny’s impoverished, mentally challenged mother • Said “hell” to her mother.

  9. The Chocolate War1974by Robert Cormier • Bleak world view • “overly” realistic • Presents a corrupt authority • Bullies get away with it. • The good guy doesn’t win.

  10. Bibliotherapy Any kind of emotional healing that comes from reading books • The broad, therapeutic feelings of recreations and gratification experienced by individual readers • The sense of connectedness readers in a group feel when they share the same reading experiences • The particular information and insight books can provide in dealing with personal problem • This has led to much didactic literature especially for young adults. “The problem novel”

  11. CategoriesThere are many ways to categorize this genre (Judith Hillman) • Family and School stories • Adventure and Survival stories • Social Realism • Animal realism • Sports stories • Mystery and Detective stories • Series books

  12. Categories Another classification system (Charlotte Huck) • Becoming one’s own person a. living in a family, b. living with others, c. growing towards maturity • Coping with problems of the human conditiona. Physical disabilities, b. developmental and learning disabilities, c. mental illness, d. aging and death • Living in a diverse world a. African American experiences, b. books from other cultures, c. understanding various world cultures. • Populara. animal stories, b. sports stories, c. school stories, d. mysteries.

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