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Contemporary Realism - the Problem Novel

Contemporary Realism - the Problem Novel. Experientially True:. An author’s honest attempt to depict people in ordinary situations without sentimentality or a glossing over of anything. What kinds of problems?.   Anything: drugs, divorce, abortion, educational disabilities, parental abuse.... .

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Contemporary Realism - the Problem Novel

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  1. Contemporary Realism - the Problem Novel

  2. Experientially True: • An author’s honest attempt to depict people in ordinary situations without sentimentality or a glossing over of anything.

  3. What kinds of problems? •   Anything: drugs, divorce, abortion, educational disabilities, parental abuse....

  4. Allows readers to: • experience situations vicariously or • to explore a situation that they are in through the eyes of others.

  5. History of the Problem Novel

  6. 1960-1970 • Differed from earlier works dealing with adolescents.  • Poorer families.  • Harsher settings.  • Colloquial Language. • Attitude: kids got to see good and bad • Sexual content • Pessimism • Dysfunctional families

  7. 1967 • The Outsiders, • the House of Tomorrow, • Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones, • Sounder, • Too Bad About the Haines girl.

  8. The Good Problem Novel • Believable plot • Rich characterization • Setting enhances the story • Worthwhile theme (something to think about) • Style is smooth • Is subtle • Gives insight into dealing with problem highlighted

  9. Poor Problem Novel • Predictable plot • Setting is extraneous • Stereotypes • Didactic - Preachy • Trendy • Dialogue is forced & unnatural Facts don’t match with what we know of the real world • Unlikely coincidences move the plot • Sensationalistic

  10. Tragedies • Noble character – stays noble even in the face of the “tragedy” • An overwhelming “problem” • A struggle with the problem and some “outcome” (usually a good one in the adolescent tragedy).

  11. The Romance • “In the Roman manner” – Romance languages –Stories traditionally were adventure and love stories

  12. The Romantic Quest • Adventure and Accomplishment • Entering the adult world • Hero’s worth must be achieved • Worth challenged • Challenge overcome • Loses some part of self (body, soul, childhood, etc)

  13. Love “Quest” • The “problem” is a “pairing” • Protagonist doesn’t risk or lose as much as in the adventure quest • Characterization is VERY important in the love quest – we must “know” them • “other” issues are involved also, but love is the “adventure”

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