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This paper will analyze how immigration and industrialization affected literature from 1865 to 1912, exploring major literary movements of the time and discussing how Realism and Naturalism were shaped by these social forces. Examples from prominent authors will be used to demonstrate the link between immigration, industrialization, and literature. It is crucial to recognize that the United States saw rapid population growth during this period as a result of immigration and industrialization.
Baym (2008) and colleagues note that the population in 1870 was 38.5 million, increasing to 92 million by 1910 largely as a result of immigration from various countries, particularly European and Asian nations.
They also highlight how immigration played a key role in the urbanization of the United States, contributing to a shift from rural to urban living. The influx of immigrants coincided with industrialization, which created many factory jobs and wealth for some individuals but also deepened societal divides.
According to Baym et al. (2008), the interaction between long-established white Americans and newly arrived white individuals resulted in divisions based on power, income, and privilege.
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This included distinctions such as worker versus owner, rural versus urban, and immigrant versus native-born. These divisions led to mistrust and social unrest at an unprecedented level in the nation's history. As a result, labor disputes arose due to harsh working conditions caused by an influx of immigrants who increased the labor pool, leading to lower wages and conditions considered "inhumane and dangerous" (Baym et al., 2008, p.3).
Conflicts emerged from farmers losing their land to railroads and competition between native-born citizens and immigrants.
Suspicion and resentment grew among social classes, with the upper and middle classes fearing resource loss while mistreatment fueled resentment in the lower class. The literary movements during this period were realism and naturalism, replacing the previous dominance of idealism and romanticism.
Realism in literature represented a shift from idealized depictions of life to more accurate portrayals, offering detached perspectives on the daily experiences of various social classes. According to Baym et al. (2008), W. D. Howells was a prominent advocate of realism in America, alongside well-known authors like Mark Twain, Henry James, and Edith Wharton who embraced this approach. Furthermore, influential African American writers such as W. E. participated in this literary movement.
According to Baym et al. (2008), authors like Du Bois, Booker T. Washington, and Ida B. Wells-Barnett are associated with Naturalism, which is viewed as either the antithesis of realism or an "extension or intensification of realism" (Baym et al., 2008, p. 7). Unlike realism, Naturalism explores more extreme settings and situations, focusing on harsh conditions and characters living in poverty. The scholars contend that while characters in realistic works often overcome challenges, those in naturalistic works are ultimately doomed, making it a more pessimistic literary style than realism.
In their 2008 study, Baym et al. highlighted Crane, Dreiser, London, and Norris as the leading naturalistic writers in America during that period. Realism played a significant role in literature then, with Mark Twain emerging as a notable figure. His book "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" showcased his unique style that became synonymous with American literature. By incorporating colloquial language and an engaging writing technique, Twain effectively engages readers in an interactive dialogue with Huck (Baym et al., 2008, p. 6).
In chapter 23 of "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," the uneducated Huck Finn discusses his views on the world, influenced by personal experiences and societal standards. He expresses sympathy for Jim's homesickness and affection for his family. Huck observes that Jim was missing his wife and children, feeling down and longing for home since he had never been away before. Huck believes that Jim loves his family just as deeply as white people love theirs.
Baym et al. (2008, p. 204) suggest that the passage "It don’t seem natural, but I reckon it is so" in Huck Finn reflects a young boy's perspective from a society supporting slavery and holding derogatory views of African Americans. Twain, known for his critical view on humanity, aimed to challenge these beliefs by depicting an uneducated boy from the 1840s who can be open-minded and see all individuals as equals.
Henry James describes "Daisy Miller" as a modern American woman who challenges societal norms with her bold yet naive attitude. According to Baym et al. (2008), James reveals his cosmopolitan nature by exploring the impact of cultural displacement on the American national character. Through his portrayal of strict social rules, James illustrates how these barriers inhibit genuine connections between individuals.
The elite upper- and middle-class individuals hold a disdainful attitude towards the lower class and those striving to improve their social status. This leads to a breakdown in communication, a sense of mistrust, and ultimately discord among different social classes. Jack London, a prominent naturalist author, reflects on his own upbringing in his essay "What Life Means to Me," recounting his early life as a working-class youth who labored in various occupations before rejecting heavy physical work and briefly becoming homeless (Baym et al., 2008).
He reflects on his experience of hitting rock bottom in society where he felt a sense of despair and suffering in both body and soul. He acknowledges the harsh realities of inequality and injustice exacerbated by industrialization, noting the premature decline of laborers contrasted with the intellectual elite who thrive later in life.
Jack London sought self-education to advocate for the working class he was passionate about. He found inspiration in the Socialist movement, embracing its principles of warmth, faith in humanity, idealism, selflessness, renunciation, and martyrdom. As a talented naturalist writer, London vividly depicted the chilling demise of a man freezing to death in his story "To Build a Fire" through a detached and scientific narrative (Baym et al., 2008, p. 584).
The impact of social forces such as immigration and industrialization on literature from 1865 to 1912 was examined in this paper. Major literary movements of that era, including Realism and Naturalism, were explored. Examples from prominent writers of the time illustrated how these movements influenced literature. It is evident that the author's experiences in Alaska served as inspiration for this story. (Baym, N. (Ed.). (2008). The Norton anthology of American literature (Shorter 7th ed., Vol. 2). New York, NY: W. W. Norton.)
The Influence of Immigration and Industrialization on Literature. (2016, Sep 05). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/literature-and-social-reality-essay
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