The Age of Realism in Europe - Article Example

THE AGE OF REALISM IN EUROPE The critics aptly proclaim that literature is the mirror of life, which reflects the social, cultural, religious and economic background of the era, during which that piece of literature has been created. There is an intimate relationship between literature and life, and the writers and poets create their works by imitating the real life and taking its essence in their productivity. Life is the subject-matter of literature, which provides the raw material on which literature imposes an artistic form. (Mullik, 2001:7) Since every period contains divergent characteristics and features in it, the scholars and thinkers have attributed the eras on the basis of literary developments made in it keeping in view the prominent traits and characteristics of the time. The same is the case with the Age of Realism. The literature produced during the second half of nineteenth century is called as the Age of Realism. Realism is an attempt to describe human behavior and surroundings or to represent figures and objects exactly as they act or appear in life through art and literature. (Retrieved from encarta.msn.com) Though realism existed in the art and literature of almost all periods, yet the term particularly defines the philosophical movement of later 19th century, where realism appeared as the reaction to the Romanticism and idealism of early 19th century. Second half of nineteenth century was the age of prosperity and growth for Europe. The eighteenth century colonization policies and scramble for Africa had caused conflict and rivalry among different European nations, yet the wars were not always there, and peace also prevailed in western societies; so there was a significant vacuum for the industrial advancements, financial growth, philosophical accomplishments, scientific achievements, and literary escalation. The era produced remarkable works and inventions by the renowned personalities including George Eliot, Karl Marx, Frederick Engels, Friedrich Nietzsche, Robert Owens, Charles Darwin, Louis Pasteur, Thomas Edison, Graham Bell, Robert Browning, Alfred Tennyson, Sigmund Freud and others, who brought tremendous changes in their respective fields and introduced innovative ideas and thoughtfulness to society through their decisive policies, long lasting strategies, extraordinary intellect, deep observation, innovative experimentations and valuable writings. Their works left indelible imprints on the life and minds of the future generations and all the developments made during the twentieth century depended upon the theories and assumptions made in the Age of Realism. The term realism vehemently lays stress on the honest and sincere presentation of all that is real and original. The artists and writers depicted the same in their works and creativity which they viewed as true, real and exact in their real life. Realism appeared in the aftermath of the Age of Reason, which declared order, refinement, adequacy, manners and intellect to be observed in real life as well as in literature. But the realism concentrated upon the true manifestation of inner sincerity and truthfulness without wearing any mask of so called religious and moral values, abstemiousness. Realism appeared at the moment when the era of idealism had witnessed its ultimate fall and the religious dogmatism of Classical era as well as imaginative thoughtfulness of Romanticism had ceased to exist. The industrial revolution had got its way all over the European continent, and the European societies had been witnessing the blessings and curses of the industrial developments in their economic, social and cultural life. Realism developed historically in tandem with the rise of modern science with its emphasis on observation, accurate recording and theorizing about natural phenomena. It also developed at the same time that writer started to have a social conscience, seeing the evils of society and calling for reform. (Quoted in newberry.edu) There took place rapid social changes in the European societies. The Industrial Revolution of 1750 had gradually destroyed the agricultural set up of England, France, and Germany, and it was also affecting the supremacy of Russian agriculturists and landed gentry. It gave birth to merchant class as the middle socioeconomic stratum of society. This new class quite naturally clamored for pelf, power and prestige at both political and social arenas. Since the elite stratum intended to secure its age-old prestige, the emerging middle class rose to the occasion for the preservation of its rights. The rivalry between the social classes paved the way for class conflict and the philosophers, writers, intellectuals, poets, artists and scholars created their works in support of equal rights and privileges for all individuals. The philosophers view the very fact that deprivation from rights results into class struggle between haves and haves-not, putting the unity and integrity of the nation in grave jeopardy. The works of Rousseau were particularly cited where he stated that man was born free, but everywhere he is in chains. (Rousseau, 1762:3: Quoted in Porter, 1997: 429) The writings of prominent German, English and French writers ignited the passion of demanding their rights from the cruel clutches of the privileged. The philosophers and political thinkers belonging to the Age of Realism did never try to conceal the cultural abnormalities and social adversities behind the thick curtain of puritan ethics or moral values. On the contrary, they projected the problems faced by the people in the aftermath of industrialization. Karl Marx declared conflict between the classes as vital instigator behind social change. He insists that conflict is the principal cause of change in social systems, which develops through the experience of people with the natural and social phenomena. (Coser, 1978:151) Lockwood also supports the realism, which should be revealed before the people for their individual and collective growth. Rise of democracy and preservation of human rights are also the dominant features of the Age of Realism. The psychological writings of the great Victorian novelist George Eliot and the sublime poetry of Robert Browning served as an imperative attack upon the so called civilized life of the elite classes of society, which had least care of the sentiments and needs of middle and lower classes. The writers of the Realism Era looked for the search of truth, justice and wisdom, instead of imitating the old traditions blindly. The Origin of Species (1959) by Charles Darwin was also a revolutionary step towards the exploration of the bitterest facts about human origin. A fierce debate commenced with the publication of the book, and the religious circles started condemning the wonderful work of the eminent scientist Charles Darwin from every religious and political forum. But it significantly influenced the fantasy of the young generation, which followed their researches on the same patterns. Karl Marx supported the peasantry and labor classes through his valuable writings, and J. S. Mill stood for the liberation of humans from so called clutches of tyranny, injustice and social inequalities. The feminist perspective also came to the new political horizon by the Declaration of Women Rights in 1848. In the nutshell, the Age of Realism undoubtedly brought intellectual revolution all over Europe and announced the promulgation of human rights and freed of thought and movement everywhere. The writers and poets of the era particularly contributed for the noble cause of justice and truthfulness, which supported the future generations explore the realities of the universe in the later years to come. REFERENCES: Coser, Lewis A. The Functions of Social Conflict The Free Press 1977 151 Daiches, David. A Critical History of English Literature. Second Edition, Volume III Prentice Hall Inc. New Delhi 2001 762 Mullik, Dr. R. R. A Critical History of English Literature New Era Publications Agra 2001 7 Porter, Jene M. Classics in Political Philosophy Second Edition. Prentice Hall Canada Inc. 1997 429 Realism—Art & Literature. (Retrieved from http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/RefArticle.aspx?refid=761552472) Read More