Analysis of "Two Views of a River"

"Two Ways of Seeing a River" is a story by Mark Twain, which reflects the two points of view in which the author has has taken when seeing the river on which he enjoys to travel(Twain 504-505). Not only is this just plain realism, but this story is considered to be a certain type of realism which is known as Naturalism. This story would be considered naturalism because in this story, not only is the story mainly about nature, but the main conflict is also between man and nature, making this a naturalism story(Diamond). The main characteristic that proves that this story is an example of realist writing is the fact that Twain uses very simple writing throughout all of the story(Diamond). The fact that differentiates this works from many other works of realism because unlike other works of realism, "Two Ways of Seeing a River" contains a lot of figurative language(Diamond). For example, within the story, the author is quoted as saying," A broad expanse of the river was turned to blood; in the middle distance the red hue brightened into gold, through which a solitary log came floating, black and conspicuous; in one place a long, slanting mark lay sparkling upon the water; in another the surface was broken by boiling, tumbling rings, that were as many-tinted as an opal; where the ruddy flush was faintest, was a smooth spot that was covered with graceful circles and radiating lines, ever so delicately traced; the shore on our left was densely wooded, and the sombre shadow that fell from this forest was broken in one place by a long, ruffled trail that shone like silver; and high above the forest wall a clean-stemmed dead tree waved a single leafy bough that glowed like a flame in the unobstructed splendor that was flowing from the sun(Twain 505)." From this quote, it is easy to see that Twain uses many similes and metaphors that truly colors this story and makes it its own. Another characteristic that this story has that reflects the characteristics of realism is human nature. One example of human nature that this story displays is the fact that people can lose sight of things at a certain time of their life(Quinn). This is included in the story when Twain compares what he wishes he would have been thinking when going down the river compared to what the character is actually thinking when going down the river(Twain 505). Society impacted this story by the way that the overall thoughts and ideals changed in the nation when the realism period came around(Quinn). For example, since the people of society were tired of seeing the world distorted in writing, and the shift occurred when people wanted to see the world how it truly was(Quinn). Other than these traits of realist writing, "Two Ways of Seeing A River" really does not contain many other traits of realist writing other than the traits already written about above. For example, there really is not much included in this story about government or religion, making the traits already written about above.

Quinn, Edward. "realism." A Dictionary of Literary and Thematic Terms, Second Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006.Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= Gfflithem0706&SingleRecord=True (accessed February 15, 2011).(Diamond)

Twain, Mark. "Two Views of the River." Glencoe Literature. Comp. Jeffrey Wilhelm. American Literature ed. Columbus; McGraw-Hill, 2010. 504-505. Print.


Diamond, Marie Josephine, ed. "naturalism." Encyclopedia of World Writers, 19th and 20th Centuries. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2003. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= GEWW410&SingleRecord=True (accessed February 14, 2011).

Analysis of "I Will Fight No More Forever"

"I will Fight No More Forever" by Chief Joseph reflects Realism in many ways. For example, the first characteristic it displays is the fact that the speech by Joseph does not contain much figurative language(Joseph 553). This is a characteristic of Realism because during the times of realist writing, authors were focused mainly on trying to present what they had to say in a very clear, simple way(Quinn). The speech given by Joseph fits right into this category. Another characteristic of realism that this speech contains is the fact that the author of this speech, Joseph, is exhausted from the war that he has just gone through and he has grown extremely frustrated with the obstacles that he has tried to overcome(Quinn). For example, within the speech, he states, " Hear me, my chiefs. I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever(Joseph 553)." From this quote taken from his speech, it is easy to see that Joseph has grown extremely tired with the obstacle that he has tried to overcome, and he is now willing to give up because it has taken such a toll on him(Joseph). Another characteristic that is found within Chief Joseph's speech is human nature. For example, as stated in the speech, " It is cold and we have no blankets. The little children are freezing to death(Joseph 553)." From this quote, it is easy to see how nature comes into play when speaking about the subject of this speech. It is clear that the weather and the bitter cold has affected the Chief when making the decision to surrender from the war that he and his settlement is in (Joseph 553). It has affected him because of the way people have been dying from the horrible cold and also by the way people have been abandoning the settlement to find a warmer place that is nearby. The final and one of the most clear characteristics of realism that the speech given by Chief Joseph contains is government. This is not the use of government in the same aspect as the U.S. government though. This speech contains the idea of government because of the fact that the speech is given by the chief of his own settlement. This is very important to the speech because of the impact that Joseph puts on the speech simply because he is the chief of the settlement. If he were not the chief and he were still giving this speech of surrender, then it would not have the same stinging effect that it does because it would not show how the war has affected everyone in the village. Since it is the chief who is giving the speech, this shows that everyone in the village has been affected by this battle. Even the chief of the village has been so discouraged by this battle, that he will never fight again. When the chief of a village says this, it always has an everlasting effect the the audience or reader.


Joseph, Chief. "I Will Fight No More." Glencoe American Literature. comp. Wilhelm, Jeffery. McGraw Hill. Columbus, OH. 2009. 533. Print.(Quinn)

Quinn, Edward. "realism." A Dictionary of Literary and Thematic Terms, Second Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006.Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= Gfflithem0706&SingleRecord=True (accessed February 15, 2011).

Analysis of "And I Ain't a Woman?"

After reading "And I Ain't a Woman?" by Sojourner Truth, there are many characteristics within the speech that makes it clearly a work of realism. For example, in the speech, Truth keeps her language very basic and easy to under stand while not using much figurative language even though she tends to make many comparisons in the speech between her, as a female slave and a male slave. This is a characteristic of realism because in the realist period, writers were focused on keeping their writing very clear and simple while no using much figurative language because the main purpose of a lot of writing in the realist times was to get the entire audience to understand the purpose of the story(Truth 370). This story may actually be classified within the branch of realism known as regionalism because of how Truth uses the dialect of the area she lives in to portray her message(Anderson). For example, within the speech Truth uses grammar that is not considered to be proper today, but in the times when this speech was given, it was natural to use words such as "ain't" and "'cause." A characteristic of realism that truly reflects this speech by Truth is the American Dream(Truth 370). The American Dream is reflected in this speech by Truth by the way she speaks about freedom and her need for the world to be fair when it comes to Civil Rights that everyone else in the country seems to have. She claims that it is wrong for slaves-especially woman slaves-to be segregated against when being compared to male slaves because females have to overcome just as many or if not, more obstacles than males slaves do. Also, it is not fair for women slaves to be segregated against because they do all of the exact same work in the fields that the male slaves have to do. Another aspect of realism that is included in this speech by Truth is religion. This is very easy for the reader or audience to see because of the way that Truth states: "I have borne 13 children and seen most of them sold to slavery, and when i cried out with my mother's grief, non but Jesus heard me!(Truth 370)." This statement within Truth's speech shows the obvious bond to Christianity and to Jesus that she has. With this excerpt, also comes the entry of the Hero into this speech by Truth. When truth states that only Jesus has heard her, and by the way that Truth speaks about Jesus in her speech, it seems that she has turned to Jesus to help her become free from slavery. This is very common in realist writing because before and during the Civil War, when slaves were working on plantations, they had no one or nothing to turn to to get a perspective on life(Truth 370). Because of this, it was very common for the slaves to turn to religion for a point of view on life or for some sense of security.

Anderson, George P., Judith S. Baughman, Matthew J. Bruccoli, and Carl Rollyson, eds."regionalism." Encyclopedia of American Literature: Into the Modern: 1896–1945, vol. 3, Revised Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2008. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. Online. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= EAmL1330&SingleRecord=True. February 13, 2011.

Truth, Sojourner. "And Ain't I a Woman." Glencoe American Literature. comp. Wilhelm, Jeffery. McGraw Hill. Columbus, OH. 2009. pg. 370. (Truth)

Swing Low, Go Down Moses, and Keep Your Hands on the Plow Analysis

"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" is an African American spiritual poem that was popular in the Civil War era and the rest of the realist period(Swing 346). A spiritual song is a song that slaves would sing as they would in fields that were passed down orally from generation to generation. Though the writing style is simple and it also does not contain much figurative language, it reflects a characteristic or realism for this reason (Werlock). When realist authors write or make a work or poem, they will try to keep the writing style simple and not use much figurative language because they want the writing to be as clear and as easy for the reader or audience to understand as possible. Another way that this work reflects realism is how it represents the American Dream (Werlock). The idea of the American Dream in the realist period signified the idea of civil rights and freedom for all citizens except for slaves(Swing 346). This song was very popular among slaves just before the Civil War because it signified the concept that all slaves wanted which was freedom and civil rights. "Go Down Moses" is another spiritual African American song popular during the realist period(Go 347). Like "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "Go Down Moses" is very simple and does not use much figurative language which, once again, reflects the realism behind it. This poem also represents the American Dream because it signifies the African American need for freedom in the United States like the first song lyrics. The one characteristic of realism that "Go Down Moses" does contain that the first song does not is that "Go Down Moses" contains a religious reference when referring to Moses(Go 347). This is a Christian reference that is contain in the Old Testament of the Bible(Go 347). Religion is a characteristic of Realism because during the times before the Civil War, slaves who were looking for answers in life turned to religion because they really had no other places to go to get a perspective on their lives (Werlock). "Keep Your Hands on the Plow" is another spiritual African American song that like the other two included in this blog, reflects realism because of the basic writing style of the lyrics. Like the others, the lyrics of this song are extremely basic and they also do not contain much figurative language which is a very common characteristic of realism. Like the lyrics to "Go Down Moses," the lyrics to "Keep Your Hands on the Plow" contain a religious reference. Since the songs relates to Jesus and speaks about Him a lot, there is an obvious Christian tie in these song lyrics(Keep 348). Also, like the other poems in this blog, this poem also represents the American Dream because of how the song lyrics reflects the want and need of freedom for African Americans (Werlock). These lyrics actually contain the idea of the Hero by how the writer of these lyrics speak about Jesus. The writer of these lyrics wants Jesus to look after him or her and set them free.

"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot." Glencoe Literature. Comp. Jeffery D. Wilhelm. American Literature ed. Columbus: McGraw Hill, 2009. 346. Print.

"Go Down, Moses." Glencoe Literature. Comp. Jeffery D. Wilhelm. American Literature ed. Columbus: McGraw Hill, 2009. 347. Print.

"Keep Your Hand on the Plow." Glencoe Literature. Comp. Jeffery D. Wilhelm. American Literature ed. Columbus: McGraw Hill, 2009. 348. Print.

Werlock, Abby H. P. "realism." The Facts On File Companion to the American Short Story, Second Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2009. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/

Gettysburg Address and Second Inaugural Address Analysis

"The Gettysburg Address" written by Abraham Lincoln reflects many characteristics of the Realism period(Lincoln, "The Gettysburg" 402).. For example, the speech by Lincoln does not use much figurative language and the language used in very general (Barney). That is one characteristic of Realism writing. In realist writing, the author or authors are not very focused on giving details (Barney). They want to portray their meaning very clearly and therefore, they do not give much figurative language on what they are trying to say and also what they are trying to portray to the readers or audience of the speech he is giving. For example, "But in a larger sense we can not dedicate - we can not consecrate - we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled, here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here, but can never forget what they did here(Lincoln, "The Gettysburg" 402).." The idea of the hero has a lot to do with this speech that Lincoln has given. For example, when giving this speech, it was very important for Lincoln to inspire the audience what the battle had done for the nation and what it means for the many men who died just because they for fighting for the freedom of the African Americans. Government is also a very important topic when it comes to the "Gettysburg Address" because Abraham Lincoln was president when he gave this speech at Gettysburg and he truly portrayed how the Battle at Gettysburg helped out the Government of the United States of America (Lincoln). When writing the "Gettysburg Address," Lincoln did not include anything about religion in his speech. After reading the Second Inaugural Address by Abraham Lincoln, it reflects a lot of the same characteristics of Realism that the first did (Barney). For example, the speech is very short and does not use much figurative language as the "Gettysburg Address" does as well. This is a common characteristic of Realism because in Realist writing, authors and poets tried to keep their writing simple so that it could be understood to anyone who reads it. Since this speech was given close to the end of the Civil War, the idea of the American Dream had a lot to do with the purpose and content of the speech (Lincoln, "Second" 339). For example, within the speech, Lincoln is explaining how a day will soon come when the war will be over and that our nation has done a great job of trying to protect itself and that our country must continue to keep with peace not only with each other when the war is done, but also with other nations as well (Lincoln, "Second" 339). The idea of the American Hero also comes into play with this speech because of how President Lincoln sends the message of being extremely proud of his troops. Therefore, the hero of the speech would be the American troops who fought in the Civil War because of how they protected the country. Also, the idea of government is included in the speech of Abraham Lincoln because Lincoln was the President of the country at this point in time, and therefore that reflects the idea of government within the speech. Similar to the "Gettysburg Address," this speech has no evidence of religion or religious value because President Abraham Lincoln neglected to put any in his speech (Lincoln).

Barney, Brett, and Lisa Paddock, eds. "realism." Encyclopedia of American Literature: The Age of Romanticism and Realism, 1816–1895, vol. 2, Revised Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2008. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. Online. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= EAmL0738&SingleRecord=True. February 8, 2011. (Barney)

Lincoln, Abraham. from "Second Inaugural Address." Glencoe American Literature. comp. Wilhelm, Jeffery. McGraw Hill. Columbus, OH. 2009. pg 339.

The Meaning of July Forth for the Negro Analysis

"The Meaning of July Forth for the Negro" by Fredrick Douglas reflects Realism in two specific ways. One way would be that the speech uses very simple writing. For example, throughout the speech, the author, Douglass, is very straightforward when explaining that the Forth of July really does not mean much for the negro because African-Americans really did not have very many rights at all because they were basically all slaves and law did not require them to have any civil rights whatsoever. This is why Douglass says that when a man says that America is a land where everyone is free and everyone has opportunity, he is a hypocrite. This is simply because not everyone did have right in this time era. African Americans did not and they also did not really have much opportunity other than being a slave in the United States(Douglass 336). The other reason that this would be considered Realism is because of the time period in which it was written. This speech by Fredrick Douglass was written on a Forth of July during the Civil War. The beginning of the the Civil War was when Realism began. The Civil War was the period of time in the United States when people began to see the world for how it truly was because of the effect the world had on the Civil War(Douglass 336). Government was clearly a focus when Douglass wrote this speech. This is because the main emphasis of this speech is the fact that African-Americans really have nothing to be happy about when it comes to celebrating the Forth of July because it really does not have much meaning the the Negro because they do not have rights(Douglass 336). The audience of this speech is basically the government because that is who is not giving the African Americans rights. This speech is basically complaining to the government about how the Negros in the United States of America when they have really not done anything to not deserve rights because they are officially slaves who work out in fields just to try to make a living. The American also comes into play when reading this speech because that is basically what the entire speech is about-the American Dream. The American Dream is what writers talk about when they refer to the fact that America is the land of freedom and opportunity(Douglass 336). This idea is clearly not true when it comes to African Americans and Negros because once again, they have been forced into slavery. Douglass is referring to this American Dream because it really is not true for African Americans and for that reason, African Americans did not truly enjoy or celebrate the Forth of July. Even though this speech is not focused on the idea of the hero, i think that the main hero of this speech would have to be Fredrick Douglass. This is because he was the first one who actually confronted the government about how they are all hypocrites and how they basically lie when it comes to celebrating the Forth of July.

Douglas, Frederick. "The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro." Glencoe Literature. American Literature ed. Columbus: McGraw-Hill, 2009. 336. Print. (Douglass 336)

Regionalism

Regionalism is a type of writing, similar to Realism, that focuses on a certain area or region in which the story takes place (Anderson). Unlike simple Realism, which can focus on a very general idea or setting, Regionalism is much more specific when it comes to the choice of setting or other details of the story in that nature because Regionalism writing is much more focused on the specific details of the story because very often in Regional writing, the main moral of the story is based on that specific region or the lifestyle that takes place in that specific region (Anderson). For example, during the Civil War era, a common setting for regionalist writing would take place in the South where slavery was still legal and very common on farms or plantations (Anderson). This would be a very common theme in Regionalism because the author would use examples of hardships and the shunning of civil rights for African-Americans as a basis for the author's own story or book. Similar to realist writing, a regional story would usually be based on the mere struggle that the main character would face in the area in which the book took place. Also common in regionalism writing would be the type of language or dialect used in that certain region in which the book or story took place (Anderson). One of the main points of regionalism was to make the story more believable to the ones who were reading it. For example if the character in the story was facing a conflict that many in a region had faced, then that story would be much more believable to the reader of audience. This was one of the main appeals of Regionalism. If a person could read about a character or person who overcame the very same obstacle that the reader was facing, then it gave the reader belief that he or she could overcome the very same obstacle in their own life.

Anderson, George P., Judith S. Baughman, Matthew J. Bruccoli, and Carl Rollyson, eds."regionalism." Encyclopedia of American Literature: Into the Modern: 1896–1945, vol. 3, Revised Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2008. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= EAmL1330&SingleRecord=True (accessed February 8, 2011).