Realism Project: Regionalism

Regionalism is defined as "a literary subgenre that emphasizes the setting, history, speech, dialect, and customs of a particular geographical locale or area, not only for local color, but also for development of universal themes through the use of the local and particular" (Werlock); however, it is more of a description of realism than a sub-category. Regionalism has the same qualities as realism, but it focuses on a certain environment or region to make the story more real and come to life. "Although the term regionalist is sometimes used to describe an author whose work has limited appeal, many of the best American writers write about specific communities that have an intrinsic interest for them—so much so that author and place cannot be conceived of apart. In this sense, the term regionalist is descriptive and not limiting" (Anderson).

Regionalist writers use a particular region to talk about, making their story more of a historical fiction novel, and very much realistic in a literary sense. The characters of these novels are relative to the characters at that time and place. For example, a western novel would be filled with western characters. "The American West embodies the American myth of the self-made man, the loner, and the adventurer heading out for new territory and exploring the frontier. The novels of Owen Wister and Zane Grey made the cowboy a staple of the American mythos" (Anderson). A New England regionalist author might write about a factory owner in New York, or a Southern regionalist writer might write about a plantation owner during the Civil War.

The regionalist American Dream is still very similar to that of realism and naturalism, to succeed by the standards set at the time. However, the hero of regionalism is different than the hero of realism or naturalism. Because different regions had different environments, different people, and different mind sets, the hero was whoever was considered a hero in that area. For example, the cowboy could be considered the hero of the West, while the high and mighty business owner of a national company would be seen as the hero of the North. Each is subject to the region or environment, hence the name regionalism.

"To Anderson, the more specific a writer was about the setting of his story, the more believable he could make his characters; for him, the particular led to the universal" (Anderson). That is what regionalism is, in a deeper sense. It is the use of a place very close to the author's heart to unlock a whole new story a whole new world.

Works Cited

Anderson, George P., Judith S. Baughman, Matthew J. Bruccoli, and Carl Rollyson, eds."regionalism." Encyclopedia of American Literature: Into the Modern: 1896–1945, vol. 3, Revised Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2008. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= EAmL1330&SingleRecord=True (accessed February 8, 2011).

Werlock, Abby H. P. "regionalism." The Facts On File Companion to the American Short Story, Second Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2009. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= Gamshrtsty0581&SingleRecord=True (accessed February 8, 2011).