This Companion examines a number of issues related to the terms realism and naturalism, which have long served to designate major late nineteenth-century American fiction. It includes ten essays that deal with the historical context, application, and expansion of this movement.
The terms realism and naturalism are considered in the context of expressing a style of American writing in relation to late nineteenth century fiction movements. This text analyzes ten major texts, from W.D. Howell's The Rise of Silas Lapham to Jack London's The Call of the Wild.