CRITICAL REALISM IN ENGLISH LITERATURE OF THE XIX.
Keywords:
Critical realism, English literature, 19th century, romanticism, social issues, class struggles, moral dilemmas, Charles Dickens, George Eliot, Thomas Hardy, society, working class, industrialization, urban landscapes, social injustice, ethics, moral dilemmas, Victorian England, ordinary peopleAbstract
Critical realism in English literature of the 19th century was a
literary movement that emerged as a response to the romanticism of the preceding
era. It sought to portray the realities of everyday life with a focus on social issues,
class struggles, and moral dilemmas. This essay will explore the key characteristics
of critical realism in English literature of the 19th century, with a specific focus on
the works of important writers such as Charles Dickens, George Eliot, and Thomas
Hardy.
Critical realism was marked by a rejection of the idealistic and escapist
tendencies of romanticism, and instead aimed to depict society as it truly was, with
all its flaws and complexities. Writers of this era sought to examine the social and
economic inequalities of the time, highlighting the struggles of the working class,
the power dynamics between different social classes, and the impact of
industrialization on human lives.
One of the defining features of critical realism was its emphasis on detailed and
accurate representation of society, often through vivid descriptions of urban
landscapes, industrial settings, and the lives of ordinary people. Writers such as
Charles Dickens, known for works like "Oliver Twist" and "Great Expectations,"
used their novels to shed light on the harsh realities of life for the poor and
marginalized in Victorian England.
