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THE ROLE OF REALISM IN ENGLISH LITERATURE
Gaybullayeva M.,
senior teacher,
Karshi state university (Uzbekistan
Abstract:
Realism, as a literary movement, emerged in England during the 19th century as a
response to romanticism and the social transformations brought about by industrialization. This
article explores the development and influence of realism in English literature, focusing on its
thematic concerns, stylistic features, and socio-political implications. It examines the works of
key realist writers such as Charles Dickens, George Eliot, and Thomas Hardy, analyzing how
their narratives reflect the complexities of ordinary life and challenge idealized representations
of society. The article also highlights realism's continuing influence on contemporary literature,
arguing that its emphasis on character psychology, moral ambiguity, and social critique remains
relevant in the 21st century.
Keywords:
Realism, English literature, 19th century, Charles Dickens, George Eliot, Thomas
Hardy, literary criticism, industrialization, social realism, narrative form
Realism in English literature arose as a reaction to the excesses of romanticism and as a
response to rapidly changing social and economic conditions. Unlike romanticism, which
emphasized emotion, imagination, and the sublime, realism focused on the ordinary, the
everyday, and the plausible. It sought to represent life "as it is," portraying real people in
believable situations with an emphasis on ethical complexity and social conditions.
The rise of realism coincided with the Industrial Revolution and Victorian-era social reform.
England in the 19th century experienced profound transformations—urbanization, class
mobility, and a widening gap between rich and poor—which demanded a literature that could
capture these realities. Realist authors moved away from the romantic idealization of nature and
heroism, choosing instead to examine the fabric of contemporary life.
Realism in English literature was shaped by a number of key authors who redefined the
role of fiction by depicting life with a sense of psychological, social, and moral authenticity.
This section explores the contributions of Charles Dickens, George Eliot, and Thomas Hardy—
three pivotal figures in English realism—detailing their thematic concerns, literary innovations,
and lasting impact.
Charles Dickens (1812–1870)
Charles Dickens is often considered one of the founding figures of literary realism in England.
His novels, while occasionally tinged with sentimentality and caricature, vividly portray the
harsh realities of Victorian society. Dickens focused extensively on themes such as poverty,
child labor, industrial exploitation, and class inequality.
Key Contributions:
Social Critique: Novels like
Oliver Twist
(1837) and
Hard Times
(1854) expose the cruelty of
the workhouse system, the neglect of orphaned children, and the dehumanizing effects of
industrial capitalism.
Characterization: Dickens created a gallery of memorable characters who emdiv social types
yet possess individuality. While exaggerated, his characters often represent larger social
issues—e.g., Mr. Gradgrind as a symbol of utilitarianism in
Hard Times
.
Urban Realism: He was a master of depicting the crowded, grimy, chaotic life of cities like
London, using detailed description to convey both physical and emotional environments.
Realist Elements: Although Dickens sometimes resorted to coincidences or melodrama, his
attention to societal conditions and moral ambiguity makes him a key realist precursor.
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George Eliot (1819–1880)
Pen name of Mary Ann Evans
George Eliot is perhaps the most philosophically rigorous of the English realists. Deeply
influenced by contemporary science, psychology, and ethics, Eliot aimed to portray characters
as morally complex and situated within the constraints of their environments.
Key Contributions:
Psychological Realism: In novels like
Middlemarch
(1871–72), Eliot examines inner conflicts,
motivations, and ethical dilemmas. Her characters are not idealized heroes but flawed
individuals striving to make sense of their roles in society.
Narrative Innovation: Eliot employed omniscient narration with philosophical asides, offering
reflective commentary on human behavior. She was one of the first English authors to use
free
indirect discourse
effectively.
Thematic Depth: Her works delve into marriage, gender roles, education, political reform, and
the struggle between individual desire and social duty.
Realist Elements: Eliot’s fiction combines meticulous social observation with intellectual
insight, aiming to create morally serious literature that encourages empathy and ethical
reflection.
Thomas Hardy (1840–1928)
Thomas Hardy represents the darker, more deterministic side of English realism. His novels
frequently focus on rural communities in the fictional region of Wessex, depicting the impact of
modernity on traditional ways of life.
Key Contributions:
Tragic Realism: Hardy’s characters often face insurmountable social, moral, or environmental
forces. In
Tess of the d’Urbervilles
(1891), for example, Tess is a victim of rigid social mores
and male dominance.
Pessimism and Determinism: Hardy’s worldview was shaped by Darwinism and a belief in the
indifference of the universe to human suffering. His fiction is marked by fatalism and critiques
of religious hypocrisy.
Depiction of Rural Life: In novels such as
Far from the Madding Crowd
(1874) and
The Mayor
of Casterbridge
(1886), Hardy offers an unvarnished look at agrarian labor, gender inequalities,
and the fading traditions of rural England.
Realist Elements: Hardy's work is grounded in detailed observation of nature and society. His
focus on the limits placed on individuals by fate, class, and culture aligns closely with the aims
of literary realism.
While Dickens, Eliot, and Hardy are central to the canon, several other authors contributed
significantly to realism in English literature:
Elizabeth Gaskell – Her novels such as
North and South
(1854) and
Mary Barton
(1848)
confront industrial unrest, class conflict, and women's roles with a balanced, documentary-like
style.
Anthony Trollope – Known for the
Chronicles of Barsetshire
, Trollope’s works explore politics,
religion, and provincial life through carefully drawn characters and complex interpersonal
relationships.
Wilkie Collins – Although associated with sensation fiction, Collins’s works like
The Woman in
White
(1859) incorporate realist techniques in their portrayal of legal injustice and gendered
vulnerability.
Arnold Bennett – A later realist whose novels such as
The Old Wives' Tale
(1908) focus on the
lives of ordinary people over long periods of time, highlighting social change.
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Realism continues to influence modern and postmodern literature, particularly in its
attention to character complexity and moral depth. Contemporary realist fiction, such as the
works of Ian McEwan and Zadie Smith, extends the tradition by addressing multiculturalism,
globalization, and psychological introspection.
Realism in English literature represented a significant shift in narrative form and thematic focus,
aiming to portray life truthfully and critically. Through its enduring legacy, realism has shaped
not only the novel form but also the way literature engages with reality, ethics, and social
change.
References
1.
Auerbach, E. (1953).
Mimesis: The Representation of Reality in Western Literature
.
Princeton University Press.
2.
Eliot, G. (1871).
Middlemarch
. William Blackwood and Sons.
3.
Hardy, T. (1891).
Tess of the d’Urbervilles
. James R. Osgood, McIlvaine and Co.
4.
Levine, G. (1981).
The Realistic Imagination: English Fiction from Frankenstein to
Lady Chatterley
. University of Chicago Press.
5.
Dickens, C. (1854).
Hard Times
. Bradbury & Evans.
6.
Watt, I. (1957).
The Rise of the Novel: Studies in Defoe, Richardson, and Fielding
.
University of California Press.
7.
Williams, R. (1973).
The Country and the City
. Oxford University Press.
