American Literature

Postmodernism succeeded modernism, and it began after World War II to date.  Postmodernists want to create a new form of dialogue which is different from the symbolic modernist representation (Saxon 2). Saxon describes postmodernist communication as automatic, but it is seen by the majority as disgustingly oversimplified if provided as the main determining quality according to Derrida (3). The definition and the attitude arising from the understanding of postmodernism depend on the groups or individuals defining it and the interests they represent.

Realism as it applies in literature is a nineteenth century movement. It extends from 1850 to 1900 (Saxon 10). Saxon states that information from Realism HL confirms that the movement originated in France with Balzac, while in England, it was brought about by Eliot and lastly, it arose in America because of Howells and Twain (10).

Information from Realism OC 552 indicates that reaction to romanticism caused realism.  It further states that realism started in the midst of intellectual environment which is illustrated by the scientific methods, rational philosophy, and the use of documentation in the historical study (Saxon 10). Realists believed that the act of novel writing should follow the normal flow of life but not the artificial plot structure as is used in the traditional novel. Unlike the postmodern and modern literature which is used mainly by scholars, Saxon says that realist literature included all classes of people. Traditional literature was therefore succeeded by realist literature which has been modified to modern and eventually post modern literature.