What Aspect Of Romantic Writing Did Realist Writers Disapprove Of?

The answer to this question depends on which realist writers you are referring to, as different writers had different opinions on the matter. However, in general, realist writers tended to disapprove of the idealized and often unrealistic portrayal of love and romance in much of romantic writing. To these writers, romance seemed to be more about escapism and fantasy than anything else, and they felt that it did not accurately reflect the often messy and complicated reality of human relationships. Instead, they sought to write about love and romance in a way that was more grounded in reality, even if that meant making their stories less idealized and perhaps less exciting to some readers.

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Realist writers disapproved of the sentimental and idealized aspects of Romantic writing. While Romantic literature celebrated emotion, imagination, and the sublime, realist writers sought to portray life as it truly was, focusing on everyday experiences, ordinary people, and the harsh realities of society. Realism emerged as a literary movement in the 19th century as a reaction against the perceived excesses and escapism of Romanticism.

Key aspects of Romantic writing that realist writers disapproved of include:

1. Idealized Characters and Settings: Romantic literature often featured idealized characters and picturesque settings, emphasizing the extraordinary and fantastical. Realist writers, on the other hand, aimed to depict characters and settings that were more true to life, reflecting the complexities and imperfections of human existence.
2. Exaggerated Emotion and Sentimentality: Romantic writers were known for their emphasis on heightened emotions, melodrama, and sentimentality. Realist writers criticized this tendency, seeking to portray emotions in a more restrained and authentic manner. They believed in presenting the emotional spectrum of everyday life, including both the mundane and the profound.
3. Focus on Extraordinary Events: Romantic literature often revolved around extraordinary events, such as supernatural occurrences, heroic deeds, or fantastical journeys. Realist writers, however, preferred to focus on the ordinary events and routine aspects of life, finding beauty and significance in the commonplace.
4. Escapism and Fantasy: Romanticism embraced a sense of escapism and a desire to transcend reality through imagination. Realist writers rejected this escapism, striving to ground their works in the reality of the contemporary world. They aimed to address social issues and depict the struggles of everyday individuals.
5. Rural Idealism vs. Urban Realism: Romantic literature frequently idealized rural life and nature, presenting an idyllic view of the countryside. Realist writers, in contrast, often set their works in urban environments and portrayed the challenges of industrialization and urbanization. They were concerned with the social and economic changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution.

Prominent realist writers, including Gustave Flaubert, Charles Dickens, and Leo Tolstoy, rejected the romanticized portrayal of the world. They sought to capture the complexities of human existence, critique societal issues, and provide a more accurate reflection of the challenges and joys of everyday life. The transition from Romanticism to Realism marked a shift from the idealized to the authentic, reflecting the changing attitudes of the time.