Romantic Writing Did Realist Writers Disapprove

What aspect of Romantic writing did Realist writers disapprove of?

A) Idealization of nature and human emotions

B) Focus on individualism and heroic figures

C) Supernatural and mysterious elements

D) All of the above

Correct Answer: D) All of the above

Explanation:

Realist writers rejected many aspects of Romantic writing, including the idealization of nature and human emotions, the focus on individualism and heroic figures, and the inclusion of supernatural and mysterious elements. Realist writers believed that literature should reflect the realities of everyday life and portray ordinary people and their daily struggles.

One example of this rejection can be seen in the work of Charles Dickens, who is considered a Realist writer. In his novel "Hard Times," Dickens portrays the harsh realities of life in a Northern English mill town during the Industrial Revolution. He shows the poverty, exploitation, and suffering of the working class, rather than idealizing their lives or creating heroic figures. For example, one of the main characters, Stephen Blackpool, is a poor weaver who is oppressed by his employer and suffers from personal tragedy. Dickens portrays Stephen's struggles in a realistic and empathetic way, rather than romanticizing or idealizing his character.

In contrast, Romantic writers like William Wordsworth often portrayed nature as a perfect and harmonious world, and human emotions as intense and transcendent. In his poem "Lines Written a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey," Wordsworth describes the beauty of nature and the transcendent power of memory and imagination. He idealizes nature and portrays it as a source of inspiration and spiritual renewal. This stands in contrast to the Realist writers, who believed in portraying nature and human emotions as they actually were, without idealization or exaggeration.

Overall, Realist writers rejected the Romantic tendency towards idealization, individualism, and the supernatural. They believed that literature should reflect the realities of everyday life, and that this was the only way to truly understand and appreciate the world.