|
|
Fiction & the Real World - Realism
Unit Completion Date: End of Week 13
|
| [ Previous ][ 3 ][ Next ] |
The definition of realism given in Benet's Reader's Encyclopedia can also be helpful in developing an understanding; it states, in part, that realism attempts to depict life objectively, without idealizing or preaching. Even Benet's, though, concedes that the definition isn't of much use because it underlies almost all fiction written.
Benet's definition, in my opinion, leaves out many of the reasons why it is important for a developing fiction writer to consciously confront realism. It ignores the fact that realism's "objective" stance has been largely discredited by literary theorists. Common sense might also indicate that it would be impossible to present an objective story. At this point in the term, you understand how much work goes into writing a story. Extrapolate from that the effort required to complete a novel. These are not undertakings that people attempt because they are objective about their subject. You have to really feel strongly about a story to follow it for three hundred pages.
It might be more appropriate to say that realism is a technique of fiction writing that seeks to conceal how a story is subjectively created and presents that story as if it has some "natural" or objective relationship to reality.
|
| [ Previous ][ 3 ][ Next ] |
|
