The seminar Realism in Context took place in summer term 2005 at Landau University. The instructor, Prof. Dr. Martin Klepper, led the students through the seminar where each of the students had to present a topic related to or concerned with realism. As a result of the instructor’s and students’s work Prof. Dr. Martin Klepper published the paper Realism in Context - A Student Reader which was written by himself and the students.
One of the books that were read in class during semester was Henry James’s The Portrait of a Lady. The central theme in this book is the relationship of the protagonist Isabel with Osmond.
The following seminar paper deals with the local color writer Sarah Orne Jewett, a female novelist, poet, and short-story writer. After explaining the definitions of realism and feminism in the second chapter, Jewett’s place in American Realism will be discussed in chapter three. Hereby it is neccessary to emphasize Jewett’s masterpiece The Country of the Pointed Firs, first published in 1896. Realism, feminism and feminist writing will be discussed and analysed on the basis of some selected works and texts.
In chapter four it is important to show Jewett’s life beyond gender and beyond her writing. Annie Fields, maybe Jewett’s best friend, played an important role in Jewett’s life. Sarah Orne Jewett’s best-known works will be introduced. Carol Schachinger, who is impressed by Jewett and her home very much, takes us to a “trip“ back to Maine to tell us how and where Jewett lived. At the end, the summary in chapter five closes the seminar paper.
The guiding line that will lead us through the seminar paper is Jewett as a feminist and beyond.
Pointing out the importance of The Country of the Pointed Firs, Willa Cather writes in a 1925 essay:
”If I were asked to name three American books which have the possibility of a long, long life, I would say at once, The Scarlet Letter, Huckleberry Finn, and The Country of the Pointed Firs. I can think of no others that confront time and change so serenely” (xviii).
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Definitions
- 2.1 Realism
- 2.2 Feminism
- 3. A "Woman's Place" in American Realism
- 3.1 Local Color and Realism
- 3.2 Jewett's Place in American Realism
- 3.3 Maine Person and Boston Professional
- 3.4 Realism, Feminism, and the World of Dunnet Landing
- 4. A Writer's Life
- 4.1 Sarah's Portrait and her Companion Annie Fields
- 4.2 Famous Works
- 4.3 Sarah Orne Jewett's Maine - A Journey Back
- 5. Summary
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This seminar paper examines Sarah Orne Jewett's contribution to American Realism, focusing on her portrayal of women and her feminist perspective. It aims to analyze Jewett's work within the context of both Realism and Feminism, exploring her life and literary achievements.
- Sarah Orne Jewett's place within the American Realism movement.
- The intersection of Realism and Feminism in Jewett's writing.
- An analysis of Jewett's masterpiece, The Country of the Pointed Firs.
- The influence of Jewett's personal life and relationships on her work.
- Jewett's depiction of women and their roles in society.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the paper, explaining its origin within a university seminar on American Realism. It introduces Sarah Orne Jewett as the subject, highlighting her status as a female novelist and the significance of her work, The Country of the Pointed Firs. The chapter emphasizes the dual focus on Jewett's contribution to Realism and her feminist perspective, previewing the analysis to come. A quote from Willa Cather underscores the enduring relevance of Jewett’s work, framing it within the canon of classic American literature.
2. Definitions: This chapter provides working definitions of "Realism" and "Feminism," drawing upon established literary criticism. It explores the multifaceted nature of Realism, clarifying its historical context and stylistic characteristics as a literary movement and as a method of representing reality. The chapter differentiates between various interpretations of Realism, highlighting its focus on average lives, commonplace experiences, and the deliberate selection of material. The definition of Feminism is also established, laying the groundwork for the analysis of Jewett's feminist themes in later chapters.
3. A "Woman's Place" in American Realism: This chapter delves into the central argument, analyzing Jewett's position within American Realism, specifically focusing on her unique portrayal of women and its connection to feminist thought. It examines Jewett’s use of "local color" as a tool for realistic representation, investigating how this stylistic choice enhances both the verisimilitude and the feminist dimensions of her narrative. The chapter likely discusses how Jewett's work challenges or conforms to traditional gender roles within the context of American Realism, potentially analyzing specific works to illustrate her techniques and perspectives.
4. A Writer's Life: This chapter shifts focus to Jewett's biography, examining her life and relationships to provide context for her literary output. It explores the significance of her friendship with Annie Fields, highlighting the potential influence of this relationship on Jewett's work and personal life. The chapter also introduces some of Jewett's best-known works, providing a biographical backdrop to her literary achievements and illustrating her evolution as a writer within the specific context of her life in Maine.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
American Realism, Sarah Orne Jewett, Feminism, Local Color, The Country of the Pointed Firs, Gender Roles, Literary History, Female Novelists, Maine, Realism and Feminism.
Frequently Asked Questions: Sarah Orne Jewett and American Realism
What is the main topic of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of a seminar paper analyzing Sarah Orne Jewett's contribution to American Realism, focusing on her portrayal of women and feminist perspective. It examines her life, literary achievements, and the intersection of Realism and Feminism in her work, particularly in The Country of the Pointed Firs.
What are the key themes explored in the seminar paper?
The key themes include Sarah Orne Jewett's place within American Realism, the intersection of Realism and Feminism in her writing, an analysis of The Country of the Pointed Firs, the influence of Jewett's personal life and relationships on her work, and her depiction of women and their roles in society.
What is the structure of the seminar paper?
The paper is structured into five chapters: an introduction; a chapter defining Realism and Feminism; a chapter analyzing Jewett's portrayal of women within American Realism; a chapter focusing on Jewett's life and its influence on her writing; and a concluding summary chapter. The document also includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What is the significance of Sarah Orne Jewett's work within the context of American Realism?
The paper argues that Jewett made a significant contribution to American Realism through her unique portrayal of women and her feminist perspective. Her use of "local color" enhances both the realism and the feminist dimensions of her narratives. The paper explores how her work challenges or conforms to traditional gender roles within the context of the era.
How does the paper define Realism and Feminism?
The paper provides working definitions of both "Realism" and "Feminism" based on established literary criticism. The definition of Realism highlights its focus on average lives, commonplace experiences, and the deliberate selection of material. The definition of Feminism lays the groundwork for analyzing Jewett's feminist themes throughout her work.
What role does Jewett's personal life play in the analysis?
The paper explores the significance of Jewett's personal life and relationships, particularly her friendship with Annie Fields, to understand the context of her literary output and the potential influence of these relationships on her work and personal life. Her life in Maine is also examined as a significant influence on her writing.
What is the role of "local color" in Jewett's writing?
The paper examines how Jewett uses "local color" as a stylistic tool to enhance the realism and feminist dimensions of her narratives. It analyzes how this choice contributes to the verisimilitude and the portrayal of women in her works.
What are some of Sarah Orne Jewett's key works mentioned in this document?
The most prominent work discussed is The Country of the Pointed Firs. The document also mentions other notable works of Jewett's, providing biographical context to her literary achievements.
What are the key words associated with this seminar paper?
Key words include American Realism, Sarah Orne Jewett, Feminism, Local Color, The Country of the Pointed Firs, Gender Roles, Literary History, Female Novelists, Maine, and the intersection of Realism and Feminism.
- Quote paper
- Ziad Attar (Author), 2006, Sarah Orne Jewett's Place in American Realism - Jewett as a Feminist and Beyond, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/63075
