Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Realism

In William Dean Howells’ words, Realism is ‘ the truthful treatment of material’. But to the question ‘what is truth’, philosophy gives not only different answers, but also different kinds of answers, representing different approaches to the same question. That’s why ‘Realism’ is also a term which can’t be defined with merely few words. In fact ‘Realism’ is a notoriously treacherous concept. Vladimir Nobokov, comments on this in his post script to Lolita, as it is ‘one of the few words which can mean nothing without quotes’. Many critics agree that when asking about the definition of ‘Realism’, it is reality itself which they bring into question. Reality is seen as something which has to be attained and this attainment is a continuous process that never allows the concept to stabilize or the word to offer a convenient mould of meaning.
In 18th century the words were considered to be ‘the images of things’. For example, Melville in his Moby Dick gathers together every possible definitions and descriptions of a whale and what he shows is that you can never catch a live whale ----- ‘You can only have a dead whale’ ----- from the images of whale, as Tony Tanner comments in his book Realism, Reality and the Novel, published in 1969. Later this concept was modified in present language as the image of reality. But it should be remembered that this concept also makes it clear that language is the instrument to achieve reality, not just to create images, carrying with in its own material of truth.
As mentioned before, a truth can be reached through various ways. Philosophy gives mainly two methods: one Scientific and other Poetic. In Scientific method Truth is discovered where as in Poetic method Truth is created by a process of making. The first method is called Correspondence Theory, while the second one is called Coherence Theory. Hence Realism can be defined differently with the help of these two theories.
In the Correspondence Theory, the ‘Reality’ is as it were arrested by truth, while in Coherence Theory, ‘Realty’ is in a sense created in the very act of perception. According to Bertrand Russell, the first case is Semantic while the second case is Syntactic concept of truth.
Balzac, who made realism fashionable as a modern doctorine says:
“The mission of art is not to copy nature, but to express her… We have to seize the sprit, and the soul of beings and things”.
Robert Lynd has aptly remarked that art is not only an escape from life, but an escape ‘into’ life, and the first escape is of importance if it leads to the second. While doing this, an artist can’t transcribe things as they are, but he can only convey his sense of things.
D.H.Lawrence, in his The Rainbow and Women in Love, found a logical conclusion that ‘Reality’ is present, where the word reaches its most fluid condition as it is used to qualify the shifting states of his characters’ consciousness. There is a scene in The rainbow where reality for Ursula [ One of the central characters] exists in her own stimulated consciousness. So, when she is obessed by the thoughts of her future career as a teacher, her father sitting at the table, becomes less real than her fancies. According to this, reality can again be defined as the mood of the mind that dilates and contracts with the degree of activity of the consciousness.
In general realism can be described as the representation of things as the expression of plain, unvarnished truth without regard to ideals or romance.
II
The root of realism can be traced in the Chaucer’s days in 14th century. The fourteenth century ballad writers took nothing as un-poetical and hence realism was found in ballads [such as ‘The London Lick Penny’, ‘The Nut Brown maid’]. Meanwhile Langland wrote his Piers the Plowman which was to present the existing sins done in the socity and thus this created a sense of realism in medival poetry. This medival tradition died in 16th century as it was mixed with ‘Platonic’ and ‘Petrarchan’ idealism. All sonnets writers of 16th century, except Shakespeare, used this mixed concept. But some of Shakespeare used this mixed concept. But some of Shakespeare’s sonnets such as ‘Song of Autolycus’, the touch of realism kept itself fresh. In the similar manner in Ben Johnson’s Pen thrust found a reaction against roses and lilies.
It is Ben Johnson, who has the credit to introduce ‘Realism’ into drama for the first time. Though he was classical dramatist, he ccreated his comedies which are intensely realistic, presenting men and women of the time exactly as they were. His Every Man in His Humor, Volpone reflect this fact.. His Volpone stands for his merciless analysis of a man governed by an over-whelming love of money for its own sake.
The Courtier Poets of the Restoration period were responsible for the second great achievement in the history of Realism, which was linked to Medieval Realism through Dryden’s admiration of Chaucer.
In the 17th century philosophers and scientists like Descartes, Hobbes and Newton, provided the mechanical concept of universe. This provided food for realism in Augustan period. The study of nature of human mind was done in ‘Essay concerning the human understanding’ by John Lock in 1690. in it Locke related language to sense-impressions and this made the concept of realism more fleshy in the eyes of other poets and essayists. The poets invented a new weapon to face the challenge of the times. And it was called ‘Satiric Humor’.
Pope in his Rape of the Lock presented a realistic picture with this new branch of realism. This spread out into prose writings of this time. In Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels , Battle of Books, Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe reflected this. While swift gave reality to pygmies, giants and the most impossible situations (as easily as if he were writing facts), Defoe at that period was known for recreating natural real adventure in reader’s mind.
Swift, whose verse has been greatly understood by the idealistic critics, made poetry out of the refuse of the London gutters:
“Now from all parts of swelling kennels flow
And bear their trophies with them as they go;
Filths of all hues and odurs seem to tell
What street they sail’d from by sight and smell.”
This is the poetry of ugly common place and yet vhaving a civilized tone. This was possible only due to use of his ‘realism’.
In 18th century another kind of realistic poetry developed. It dealt with the realistic description of realistic description of landscape and country life. Its exponents were Thompson and Dyre and their successors up to Cowpeare’s notable achievement in The Task. In this there is description of homely scenes, woods, brooks, of plowmen and teamsters, all in blank verse. But later, this realism has to fight against ‘Romanticism’ (in mid 19th century). Towards the end of this period we can find a touch of realism in some poetry of Burns and Crabbe. Crabbe in his preface to his Tales of 1812, defended realism in poetry, though the word ‘Realism’ was unknown to him.
After French revolution in 1789, a new kind of realism concerning the lives of common men started in both poetry poetry and prose. Only common place events find its place in such type. Wordsworth, the fore-runner of the Romantic movement was fundamentally a realist ------ perhaps the greatest after langland. In The Prelude, there is some common-place scene which is significant in this fact. The ‘Victorian Age’ was marked by a spirit of enquiry, criticism, Scepticism, religious unrest and spiritual struggle. The development of science and the analytical and critical state of mind leading to development of Realism.
Tenny son was the explorer of his age. He provided ‘Scientific Realism’, which can be noticed in his poems like Memorium or Idyles of the King . Robert Browning introduced ‘Psychological Realism’ during later part of 19th century. In it the ‘motive’ rather than the the study of thought or emotions was given priority. Other poets like Swinbrune, Rossetti, William Morries kept themselves busy with ‘Rationalistic’ and ‘scientific’ tendencies of the time.
But Coventry Patmore provided the ‘Social Realism’ to his readers. This can be noticed in his following poem lines:
“I hope you’re well, I write to say
Fredrick has got, beside his pay
A good appointment in the Docks
Also thank you for the frocks
And shoes for baby……………..”
Victorian poetic realism ends with Hardy and Houseman, most of whose belongs to 20th century category chronology. Hardy owed much to Crabbe for his ‘Tragic Realism’. Even in his novels like The Mayor of casterbridge this vision is fresh.
In 20th century, WW-I killed the gentlemanly sort of realism and created more rough reality in poetry and prose, which can be seen in the works of Siegfried sasoon. T.S.Eliot experimented on the boredom and frustration on modern life. Masefield was the first to sing about the ‘underdogs’ of lower classes of the society. His realism sometimes resembles to that of Zola with its ugliness and horror. This noisy violence kind of realism can be seen in his Everlasting Mercy, The Window in the Bye Street and Dauber.
Rupert Brooke whole heartedly believed in modern man’s attitude in coming to close grips with life. He saw the world with greater clarity. In his The Greater Lover he wrote of the hundred and one everyday objects that gave him joy ---- plants, cups, dust, wet roofs, wood smoke, the ‘cool kinliness of sheets and rough male kiss of blankets’. He invests this domestic catalogue with ‘significance’ and ‘Beauty’ turns the common place into the strangely new.
From the mid 17th century up to this day, realism has a permanent place in the prose writings. While realism was found in the poetry of Burns and Cowpeare, in the novels of William Goldsmith like The Vicar of Wakefield; Boswell’s prose biography Life of Johnson and dairies of Pepys and Evelyn were flooded with ‘reality-concept’. In ‘Life of Johnson, Boswell presented the minute record of Johnson’s greatness, prejudices, superstitions and even detail of his personal appearance. Peppy’s diary records all the common gossips from 1660 to 1669.
In age of Romanticism, the realism was alive in Lamb’s Essays of Elia. These famous essays began in 1820 with appearance of the new ‘London Magazine’. Among these essays were ‘Dissertation on Roast pig’, ‘Old China’, ‘Praise of chimney sweepers’ ----- all these were the interpretation of London life.
Jane Austein, as a first female novelist started writing with the blending of ‘Social Realism’ with ‘Romanticism’, which can be noticeable in Pride and Prejudice. Victorian age novelists like Charles Dickens, W.M.Thakery and some female novelists like George Eliot used Realism as their best weapon. Dickens highlighted the condition of lower class, specially children in his novels like Oliver Twist, Nicholas Nickelby with a touch of realism. He in fact correlated his childhood experiences into fiction. Thackery’s Henery Esmond presents the pride and pomp of war, which are largely delusions, but its brutality and barbarism, which are too real. George Eliot did in novels, what Browning did in his poetry by using ‘Psychological Realism’.George Eliot like Browning put stress on motive rather than emotion. This can be noticed in the character ‘Tito’ of her novel Romala.
Again Thomas hardy provided the ‘tragic Realism’ in his novels like The Mayor of Casterbridge. But his vision was not always tragic. In his pastoral comedy Far from the Madding Crowd, there is the point of realism on ‘love’.
In 20th century the world war provided another chance to create realism in different works of art. The same happened in case of novels by H.G.Wells, Galsworthy, James M. Barie etc. H.G.Wells’ Mr.Britling sees it Through (1916) is a realistic portrayal of English society in the dark days of WW-I. Galasworthy’s The Man of Property is a reflection on Victorian society. Pride and Prejudice of Austein, The heart of Midlothian of Scott, The beloved Vegabond of W.J. Locke, Joseph Vance (1906) of De Morgan were in fact the examples of ‘Romantic Realism’. This realism developed more and grew stronger than the ‘Crass-Realism’ of Zola. From the wide field of romantic realism there are three most important names of novels which are: The Divine Fire (19040 by May Sinclair, Joanna Godden (1921) by Sheila kye Smith and The Good Companions (1929) by J.B.Pristley. Thus realism has proved its essence in every field of literary works.
III
The nature of language is such that there can be no such thing as a neutral transcription of an object into words. In fact the ‘representation’ is not not only a technical,l but also a philosophical impossibility. Hence the idea of expression or recreation of truth through ‘Realism’ is not a perfect one though a good one. To its imperfectness Rene’ wellek comments that realism ‘ inspite of its claim to penetrate directly to life and reality […] in practice has its set conventions, devices, and exclusions…’

5 Keys to Unlock the Waitlist Lock

Being wait-listed is tough, and you need the right set of keys to open the door to your dream program. The truth is that even with these keys, it's still not guaranteed that the lock will work. But this keychain has the critical pieces of metal you'll need to turn that lock.
First, a word of introduction: Realize that receiving a wait-list letter means you qualify for admission. You pass. You are probably on the wait-list (and not admitted) because they have already admitted applicants with your profile and want diversity in the class. Or they find your qualifications impressive, but find someone else's even more so.
Now let's examine that keychain.
Key 1: Read the letter for any hints of deficiency in your profile and attempt to improve that element in your profile.
Key 2: Give them more reasons to admit you. If the school encouraged contact, inform it of new achievements, initiatives, promotions, and developments in your life. This suggestion implies developing a proactive campaign for contact roughly every 2-3 weeks. The exact particulars will vary depending on your school, specialty, and exactly when you are put on the wait list, but it can include letters, additional visit(s) to the school, an offer to interview, letters of support from others, and occasional phone calls.
Letters should be 1-2 pages. For tips on the letters' content, please see "Wait-list Purgatory."
Key 3: Reinforce the idea of a fit between you and the school. Demonstrate how a visit confirmed and deepened your interest in the program. Show how recent activities reveal that your values and the school's are a match made in heaven.
Key 4: Enlist your fan club. Seek additional letters of recommendation from supervisors on and off the job and professors (if applying to an academic program). Current students and recent alumni who know you can also write letters of support and emphasize your fit with the program.
Key 5: Ask if there is anything you can do to improve your candidacy. There usually isn't, but if there is you want to know about it and do it. If you have already demonstrated improvement in that aspect of your profile, let them know how you have improved since you applied.
It is much harder to wave the flag when the school doesn't want contact. But even in these cases, you can be proactive, just more indirect. If feasible, visit the school and take a tour. If you know alumni or faculty members, ask them to put in a good word for you at the school. You can't be responsible if your fan club thinks you belong at School X and wants to inform the admissions committee. You will have to be a little more indirect, but you still want someone to show fit and that "new and improved" you. For must-have information on the wait-list process, read "Nine Mistakes You Don't Want to Make on an MBA Waitlist." Accepted.com's editors are available to help you evaluate your application, advise you on your wait-list strategy, and edit wait-list letters. For more information, please visit our catalog

What Does This Inexplicable Tutor Want?

Many students around the world face in their opinion with insurmountable challenges- to design and successfully complete their writing assignments. Whatever task you face whatever type of paper you are assigned with and whatever program you are enrolled at, one should always remember that your imagination, creativity and original, unique vision are indispensable elements of well-written term paper.
Let us take for example a psychology term paper. So many students around the nation do not know how to start writing this kind of paper. One can examine this process. First, you should make acquaintance with some famous psychologists in order to understand how their ideas have shaped modern psychology.
Second, investigate the problem from psychological point of view. Try to explain why people, behave this way and not another, what ideas, thoughts and events guided them. Third, try to find out how other psychologist interpreted similar acts or behavior of individuals. But be very cautious in citing and certainly do not try to put out ideas of other persons as your own. Remember that if you violate this well-known rule, you commit plagiarism – a very serious crime. You may learn more about http://www.bestessays.com/psychology_term_paper.php
You might use similar methods in the writing of philosophical papers. However, remember that in this type of paper- the most important point is to show your ability to criticize and analyze, rather than paraphrase or write some platitudes. The tutor would like to teach you how to analyze critically, argumentatively and impartially. One should always produce enough evidence for each contention made in an essay. Remember that your essay will be much weaker if you just provide your reader with the list of simple and vague assertions, without backing them up. Another vital element of this type of an essay is your clear statement of your point of view on the subject researched. The reader should understand where you stand. One can learn more about it here - http://www.bestessays.com/philosophical_term_paper.php
Certainly there are just two types of the term papers that you may be asked to complete. There are different methods and ways that should be applied to research other subjects. Despite many differences all term papers and custom essays have a lot of common features as well. Before you start designing any paper (whether it is a one page essay or one hundred pages dissertation) you should follow several well-known, yet at the same time frequently forgotten steps: 1) Critically evaluate the subject, 2).One should gather relevant material on the topic, 3) Outline and make preliminary draft of your paper, 4) Design ad complete a preliminary draft 5) Edit the draft.
Yes, certainly it is a time and energy consuming process, but do not forget that it will pay off later on. The most important point is to learn how to organize, analyze, express your opinion in writing and produce well-argumentative research Learn more about it here http://www.bestessays.com

Quick Strategies For Writing Your Essay Under Pressure

Hidden pitfalls are on watch for your paper success in every paragraph of the essay you write. They are notorious misprints, insidious misspellings and numerous stylistic, syntax and format errors. Indeed they are your restless essay writing enemies, which are always on the alert, putting obstacles on your way to excellent grades for your writing assignments.
The drastic truth is that even slight mistakes make you freak out and lose the train of your thoughts. They evoke a fear of losing the main thread, give rise to uncertainty in your strengths and potential, dissipate your motivation to write and give the way to other distractions. Ultimately, make it challenging for you to complete your task at hand.
These minutiae seem to be minor for the inexperienced writer, but in fact they obscure an overall picture of your essay and occur to be crucial for the estimation of your work by professors, reflecting on your poor grades. Hence, essay writing pitfalls must be eradicated by all possible means.
Take these helpful hints to avoid crafty writing traps and forget about poor grades for your writing assignments once and all the time.
# Say No to poor thesis statement
Everything you write should develop around a clear central thesis statement. Good thesis statement zeroes in one main idea and states it clearly, avoiding ambiguous and vague phrases.
It should be specific, analytic and has to evaluate the significant insights of your essay. Strong thesis statement usually introduces the original approach to the traditional view on the problem.
# Avoid weak introduction and open-ended conclusion
Focus on one primary function of the introduction - to introduce your thesis statement clearly and precisely so that to grab the attention of the audience. The success strategy of writing your introduction is to start with the broad statement of your main idea and to close it with the actual thesis of your essay.
Don’t leave the unfinished and open-ended feeling at the end of your essay. Always remember that your paper must make its point clear right from the beginning and up to the logical ending.
Make your conclusion coherent and smooth and be sure to stress the significance of your work in the concluding part of your essay, pointing the ways in which your invaluable contributions can be applied.
# Beware of undeveloped essay
This problem is particularly common and results from not understanding clearly the essence of the chosen topic. Selecting your essay topic make sure to familiar with it completely and to ask yourself what you really feel passionate about and don’t forget to research it preliminary very thoroughly.
Your paper won’t produce an undeveloped impression if you provide your work with a solid argumentative ground, explaining clearly your view on the researched topic and elucidate the past attempts of the solution of this problem. So that to show the professor that you’ve got the core of the chosen topic at your finger tips.
# Never use slang language
Bear in mind that slang language and curse words are absolutely inappropriate in your work. Always remember that your targeted audience is educated professors. More over that college writing commonly implies the utilization of the formal style, which has definite frameworks.
# Don’t just recollect the events in your paper
Simple recollecting of the events is boring and unrecognizable to the reader and can become an absolute failure to the writer. “A good essay is one with imaginary appealing to the five senses.” Try to harness this strategy in your essay writing. Make your audience feel, taste, smell and hear everything you are narrating about.
Hope that these useful hints will help you gain the upper hand over your restless essay writing enemies, strengthen your writing skills and ultimately help you get excellent grades for your writing assignments.

Expository Essay

The purpose of an expository essay is to represent objectively the opinions of other individuals or describe some event or situation. More widely, exposition is a systematic written interpretation or explanation of a specific topic. The writer of an expository essay should demonstrate systematic analysis of the studied topic and explain the essential points using illustrative examples and drawing appropriate analogies. The process of exposition should include an in-depth analysis of available materials, including the identification of primary ideas, theses and facts. Exposition also includes the expanded interpretation of the studied material, including consideration of other materials within the selected field. The writer should state the selected information clearly and professionally, taking into account the specificity of the addressed auditorium. Information should be sufficient and irrefragable.
An expository essay requires a fundamental analysis of available information and formulation of the clear and specific thesis statement. An introductory paragraph should be followed by the supporting paragraphs that reinforce and expound the thesis statement logically and distinctly. A concluding paragraph should restate the thesis statement in an original way and contain no new factual material. The writer should use transitional sentences between all paragraphs to make the essay solid.