Neoclassicism, Romanticism, and Realism in Literature
Neoclassicism
Concerns and Attitudes
Neoclassical literature reflects specific concerns and attitudes:
- Reason over Emotion: Emphasis on reason, logic, and intellect over emotion, imagination, and sensitivity.
- Impersonal and Collective Characters: Literary characters are often impersonal, representing collective or societal values rather than individual personalities. They are typically civil and moral.
- Didactic and Moral Purpose: Literature serves a useful purpose, often didactic, moral, or focused on social development. This is evident in works like the French Encyclopédie and Rousseau’s Emile.
- Secularism: Questioning of religion and its institutions in relation to human freedom.
- Political Critique: Challenges the absolute power of monarchies and advocates for popular participation in politics, as seen in Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift.
- Social Analysis: Critiques societal values and customs, often using the perspective of an outsider for analysis, like in Moroccan Letters by José Cadalso and Persian Letters by Montesquieu.
- Interest in Science: Shows a keen interest in science and its practical applications, with figures like Isaac Newton being praised for their discoveries.
- Tolerance: Promotes tolerance as a fundamental virtue in religion and politics.
- Value of History: History is seen as a valuable source of knowledge and appeals to the Enlightenment mindset.
Formal Characteristics
- Imitation of Classics: Following the Renaissance, Neoclassicism imitates classical models, incorporating genres like tragedy and comedy. Poetry adopts structures like eclogues, fables, elegies, epics, and anthems, with Voltaire’s The Henriad emulating Virgil’s Aeneid.
- Respect for Neoclassical Style: Continues to adhere to Neoclassical style in theater and poetry. Prose sees the emergence of the novel, building on predecessors like Don Quixote and picaresque novels.
- Separation of Genres: Maintains a strict separation of genres, avoiding the mixing of poetry and prose or tragedy and comedy within a single work.
- Emphasis on Traditional Forms: Values traditional literary forms, leading to the adaptation of the novel to fit established literary conventions.
- Moderation and Decorum: Favors moderation and decorum in expression, viewing exaggeration as artificial.
- Naturalism and Realism: Prioritizes natural and realistic representation over fantasy.
- Clarity: Values clarity and precision in language.
- Irony and Parody: Employs irony and parody as critical tools, often targeting those in power.
- Refined Language: Uses refined and “literary” language, incorporating metaphors, imagery, and rhetorical figures found in classical literature.
Romanticism
Key Features
- Feeling of Incompleteness: A sense of the incompleteness of human existence and the fear of death or the transience of life are prevalent themes.
- Disagreement with the World: Romanticism is characterized by a fundamental disagreement with the world. The Romantic individual is perpetually discontent, as their ideals clash with everyday reality.
- Exaltation of the Self: This reflects the conflict between the individual and society. The artist feels superior to the surrounding world and embraces individualism and subjectivism.
- Freedom: The Romantic hero rejects societal rules and behavioral norms, yearning for absolute freedom. This desire for freedom is often juxtaposed with an obsession with fate.
- Nature: Nature plays a significant role, reflecting the poet’s moods. Sad, gloomy, or troubled landscapes mirror the Romantic’s inner turmoil. Deserts, hidden gardens, and neglected landscapes become settings for their loneliness.
- History and Nationalism: Interest in history and the rise of nationalism are central concerns. Romantics explore historical traditions, lament lost values, and seek to define national identities.
Characteristics of Literary Romanticism
- Rejection of Enlightenment: Romanticism opposes the Enlightenment’s emphasis on reason and its optimistic belief in progress. Romantics see human yearning for freedom as unattainable and view society as an obstacle to personal desires.
- Romantic Morality: Rejecting Enlightenment morality, Romantics embrace characters who rebel against societal norms. Bandits, pirates, and marginalized individuals become heroes who embody the pursuit of absolute moral freedom.
- Liberalism in Literature: Many Romantics advocate for liberalism and challenge the Enlightenment’s idea of progress being led by an enlightened minority. They demand absolute freedom in artistic creation, with Victor Hugo stating, “Romanticism is liberalism in literature.”
- Subjectivism: Romanticism unleashes an explosion of individuality, with writers expressing their innermost feelings without reservation. This leads to a surge in lyric poetry as a means of personal expression.
- Yearning for Freedom: Romantics rebel against all forms of constraint, including traditional morality, absolute monarchy, and the Enlightenment’s suppression of emotions. They strive to create a world where freedom reigns supreme.
- Escape from the World: Feeling misunderstood and rejected by society, the Romantic seeks escape through travel, creating imaginary worlds in poetry, or tragically, through suicide.
- Nationalism: Romantics celebrate the unique characteristics of their nations, leading to a revival of medieval literature, customs, legends, and folklore.
- Discovery of Landscape: Landscape becomes a character in Romantic literature, reflecting the writer’s emotional state. Mountains, jungles, stormy seas, and night scenes mirror their inner turmoil.
Realism
Characteristics of Realism
- Observation of Reality: Realism emphasizes close observation of reality, influenced by the scientific method. Writers meticulously document their surroundings, including environments, people, and clothing.
- Objectivity: Realism adopts an objective approach, contrasting with Romantic subjectivism. The author acts as an observer, though personal opinions may occasionally surface.
- Social Intention: Writers aim to expose social flaws and inequalities, contributing to their elimination. The concept of “useful arts” is revived.
- Simple Language: The grand rhetoric of Romanticism is replaced by simpler language that reflects the characters’ social status. The representation of everyday speech becomes important.
- Reflection of Contemporary Society: Realist novels depict a wide range of social environments, including the middle class and the lower strata of society.
Realism builds upon certain Romantic elements, such as the focus on manners and local customs, but it rejects subjectivism, excessive imagination, and the constant evocation of the past.
Themes
Realist themes often reflect bourgeois concerns, including power, money, social influence, and contemporary political issues.