Romanticism and Realism are two distinct artistic periods that overlapped for almost a decade. Despite their differences, there are also similarities between them. Romanticism was an intellectual movement in the arts that lasted from 1790 to 1870. It rejected Classicism and the Enlightenment, instead focusing on the individual, bias, illogical, creative, spontaneous, emotional, and transcendental aspects of life. On the other hand, Realism reflected its time period as an intellectual movement that began around 1861 and ended in 1914 with the start of World War I. Its aim was to depict reality without idealization.
The similarities between Romanticism and Realism are not numerous, but they do exist. Both originated in Europe and quickly spread to America. They were also influenced by the events of their time. Romanticism emerged as a response to the suppression of creative thinking during the Age of Reason, while Realism arose as a result of political and social issues. The Civil War in the United States and urbanization due to the Industrial Revolution led people to reject the mystical aspects of Romanticism. However, both artistic movements emphasized nature and its impact on society. They also focused on the poor and working class, highlighting injustices that plagued them.
Both Romanticism and Realism had unique elements. Romanticism emphasized emotion over reason, the senses over intellect, heightened examination of human personality and its moods and mental potentials, preoccupation with the genius and hero, focus on passions and inner struggles, focus on the dark hero, prioritization of the artist’s creative spirit over strict adherence to formal rules and traditional procedures. Additionally, there was an obsessive interest in folk culture (folk tale), medieval era, mysterious subjects; experimentation in science; quest for pure beauty; use of far away (in the past); nature as a place to find God; fascination with supernatural elements; fascination with exotic places. (P. Reuben)
Realism, on the other hand, can be described as the direct opposite of these elements. The Realists incorporated a rejection of the idealized, larger-than-life hero found in Romantic literature. Instead, they focused on describing ordinary characters and realistic events with an emphasis on characters from cities and lower classes. They avoided the exotic, sensational, and overly dramatic while using everyday speech patterns to reveal class distinctions. Realists also focused on ethical struggles and social issues present in real-life situations. (P. Penrose)
These differences were primarily due to the drastic changes in people’s lives. Times were no longer idealistic, and art had to reflect this reality. Each artistic movement reflects the situations of its time period, but there are always similarities. This is because while society and technology are constantly changing and transforming their taste in art, people will always want to be entertained.
Works Cited
- Penrose,Patricia.“Realism1865-1910.” http://www.ncteamericancollection.org/amer_realism.htm
- Reuben, Paul P. “Perspectives in American Literature – A Reference Guide.” 21 Feb. 2007 http://web.csustan.edu/english/reuben/pal/chap3/3intro.html.
