Your teacher will grade your response to ensure you receive proper credit for your answer. Your response should include the following to receive the points in parentheses: Respond in a well-organized essay. Answer is written in complete sentences. Respond to two of the following prompts: A. In realistic fiction, ordinary characters speak authentic dialect in recognizable settings. The author's voice is usually objective, and the tone of presentation is matter-of-fact. The events of the stories are close to what does or could happen in everyday life. Choose a story from the Realism and Regionalism unit and decide how it fits the definition of Realism. Use evidence from the text to support your view. B. Regionalism is a form of realism that emphasizes realistic settings, using local dialect, customs, and other specific details of a place. Identify the regional stories in the Realism and Regionalism unit. What part of the country is portrayed, and which details in the story distinguish it from other regions in America? C. Consider what you have learned about American history during the period of 1860 to the early 1900s. How do the stories in this unit reflect what was going on in the country then? Enter your first response in the space provided.
A. In the Realism and Regionalism unit, the story that fits the definition of Realism is "A White Heron" by Sarah Orne Jewett. This story is a perfect example of realism because it portrays ordinary characters in a recognizable setting, with the events closely resembling what could happen in everyday life.
The story takes place in a rural setting, where the protagonist, Sylvia, lives with her grandmother. The author uses authentic dialect to capture the speech patterns and language of the characters. The dialogue between Sylvia and the young ornithologist, the stranger who comes to study birds in the area, feels natural and realistic. For example, when the stranger asks Sylvia about the location of the white heron, Sylvia responds, "I can't think where you mean, unless she's in the woods, or down in the swamp. There's a swamp beyond my pasture, and she might be there a-hunting."
The author's voice in "A White Heron" is also objective and matter-of-fact. The story presents the events without any hint of bias or subjective interpretation. The descriptions of the natural surroundings and Sylvia's feelings are presented in a straightforward manner, without embellishments or sentimentalism. For instance, when Sylvia climbs the tall pine tree to spot the heron, the author describes her actions without any emotional commentary, stating, "Sylvia, possessed and borne away by her first wild impulse to sacrifice herself for her loved one, [climbed] higher and higher... with a heart that beat like a fluttering bird's."
Overall, "A White Heron" is a fine example of realism in fiction, as it showcases ordinary characters in a recognizable setting, with an objective author's voice and matter-of-fact tone. The story's events are close to what could happen in everyday life, portraying the interactions between different characters and their connection to the natural world.
C. The stories in this unit reflect the historical period of 1860 to the early 1900s by addressing some of the major issues and changes happening in the country during that time. One example is the story "A New England Nun" by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman, which portrays the restrictions and expectations placed on women in the 19th century.
The protagonist, Louisa Ellis, lives a solitary life as a spinster in a small New England town. This reflects the limited options available to women during this historical period, where marriage was often seen as the only socially acceptable path for women. The story also explores themes of isolation and self-imprisonment, suggesting the impact of societal norms on individual freedom.
Another story that reflects the historical period is "The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" by Mark Twain. This story captures the spirit of the American West during the Gold Rush era. It portrays the optimism, humor, and resourcefulness of the people living in that region during that time.
Overall, the stories in this unit provide insights into the social, cultural, and historical context of the period from 1860 to the early 1900s. They reflect the challenges, changes, and perspectives of individuals living in different regions of America during that time.
Prompt B: Regionalism is a form of realism that emphasizes realistic settings, using local dialect, customs, and other specific details of a place. Identify the regional stories in the Realism and Regionalism unit. What part of the country is portrayed, and which details in the story distinguish it from other regions in America?
One of the prominent regional stories in the Realism and Regionalism unit is "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" by Bret Harte. This story is set in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California during the mid-19th century. It portrays the western part of the United States and specifically focuses on a small town called Poker Flat.
The details in the story distinguish the region from others in America. Firstly, the physical landscape of the Sierra Nevada Mountains represents the rugged and untamed nature of the American West. The mountains, valleys, and harsh weather conditions provide an authentic backdrop for the unfolding events of the story.
Moreover, the characters in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" speak in a distinct dialect that reflects the western region. The rough and unpolished dialogue adds credibility to the story's setting and the personalities of the characters. The vernacular used by the characters, such as "'em" instead of "them" and the use of colloquial expressions, contributes to the regional authenticity of the story.
Additionally, the customs and social dynamics depicted in the story highlight the specific qualities of the region. The town of Poker Flat follows its own unique set of rules and moral codes, which differ from those of other regions in America during that era. The harsh judgment and exile of certain individuals reflect the harsh realities of the time and the distinct values of the western community.
Overall, "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" typifies regionalism by accurately portraying the setting, local dialect, customs, and social dynamics of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, distinguishing it from other regions in America.
Prompt A: In order to answer this prompt, you will need to choose a story from the Realism and Regionalism unit that fits the definition of Realism. Look for a story where the characters speak in authentic dialect, the setting is recognizable and realistic, and the events are close to what could happen in everyday life. Once you have chosen a story, you will need to provide evidence from the text to support your view.
One example of a story from the Realism and Regionalism unit that fits the definition of Realism is "The Open Boat" by Stephen Crane. In this story, the characters speak in authentic dialect and the setting is a recognizable and realistic one – a small lifeboat lost at sea. The author's voice is objective, and the tone of presentation is matter-of-fact, which contributes to the realistic nature of the story. The events of the story – the struggle for survival and the characters' natural reactions to their situation – could happen in everyday life.
To support this view, one could cite the following evidence from the text: "It can be readily understood that the men on the boat were not sailors." This line shows that the characters in the story are ordinary people, not experienced sailors, further emphasizing the realism of the story. Additionally, the dialogue between the characters, such as their discussions about their chances of survival, reflects the language and dialect of everyday life, adding to the authenticity of the story. Therefore, "The Open Boat" exemplifies Realism as it portrays ordinary characters in a recognizable setting, with authentic dialect and matter-of-fact tone.
(Prompt A: Answer in a well-organized essay with complete sentences. Provide evidence from the text to support your view.