Chapter Three Realisms: the British Novel in the Nineteenth-Century
Chapter Three Realisms: The British Novel in the Nineteenth-Century Katerina Kitsi-Mitakou 1. Introduction The aim of this chapter is to explore the complexity, slipperiness, and elasticity of the term “realism.” Although realist fiction is undoubtedly committed to a historical particularity, as a form of mimesis, realism can never be identical with that which it represents, since its tools, i.e., language/words, can never function as flawless, objective mirrors. The serious artistic treatment of ordinary people and their experience, linear plots, omniscient narrators, round characters are, of course, elements associated with a realistic mode of representation. Yet, the British nineteenth-century realist project is not explicit, and British realist writers seem to exploit narrative techniques in ways that acknowledge the impossibility of a hundred percent objective representation and even question the nature of reality. Learning objectives: Ability of students to perceive the complexity and elasticity of the concept of realism. Familiarization of students with the term “realism” in art and the narrative conventions of realism in literature. Exposure of students to the idea of realism as an oxymoronic or utopic term as well as to various critical responses to it. 111 Katerina Kitsi-Mitakou 2. Cinderella’s Foot in the Real World Charles Perrault, Cinderella, from Andrew Lang, The Blue Fairy Book “I wish I could. I wish I could.” She was not able to speak the rest, being interrupted by her tears and sobbing. This godmother of hers, who was a fairy, said to her, “You wish that you could go to the ball; is it not so?” “Yes,” cried Cinderella, with a great sigh.
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