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This journal reflects on my experience reading Realist texts found in Volume E of The Norton Reader, including biographies of Henrik Ibsen, Rabindranath Tagore, and Higuchi Ichiyo, as well as their respective works, “Hedda Gabler,” “The Punishment,” and “Separate Ways.” By exploring these questions, I will attempt to explain how these texts demonstrate the growing popularity of Realism as a literary style in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and how their authors’ messages are reflected in the stories’ endings.
Realism is often characterized by its focus on the mundane, everyday details of characters’ lives and their struggles with social pressure and conventions. Ibsen’s “Hedda Gabler” best reflects this as it follows protagonist Hedda’s struggles with her feelings of boredom and her attempts to assert her own will against society’s expectations. Tagore’s “The Punishment” similarly focuses on the struggles of its protagonist, Jogendra, as he is forced to confront the consequences of his actions and the rigid social conventions that dictate how people should behave. Ichiyo’s “Separate Ways” is also a story of characters dealing with the expectations of society and their upbringing as protagonist O-Nobu attempts to find her place in the world.
There are some significant differences between Eastern Realism and the Realism that we see in the West, exemplified by Henrik Ibsen. Eastern Realism emphasizes the spiritual and metaphysical aspects of human existence, whereas Western Realism tends to focus on the psychological and sociological elements of humanity. Eastern Realism also typically features a greater emphasis on the themes of fatalism, destiny, and fate. In contrast, Western Realism focuses more on individuals’ ability to shape their destinies. Additionally, Eastern Realism often focuses on karma or the notion that our actions have consequences that we must face in this life or the next. This distinction between Eastern and Western Realism is significant because it highlights the unique ways in which different cultures perceive and express their understanding of the human condition.
The growth of Realism as a literary style in the late 19th and early 20th centuries can be attributed to the growing sense of individualism in the world at that time. As the world became increasingly globalized and the concept of self-determination became more accepted, the need to explore the individual’s struggle with the conventions of society grew more robust. This is reflected in the works of Ibsen, Tagore, and Ichiyo, who each focus on the individual’s journey of self-exploration and the obstacles they must overcome to find their place in the world.
The text that affected me the most in this section was Tagore’s “The Punishment.” The story of Jogendra’s journey of self-discovery and his ultimate acceptance of punishment resonated with me. In my own life, I have struggled with society’s expectations, particularly concerning my career path. Although I haven’t faced the same kind of physical punishment as Jogendra, I have met the consequences of going against the grain and the guilt and regret that comes with it.
The endings of the stories in this section are all somewhat shocking and “neat.” I believe this is because the authors wanted to emphasize the themes of individualism and self-determination they were exploring. Ending the stories shows how the characters overcame society’s obstacles and found their sense of identity and autonomy. These are essential lessons people could employ today to reach their personal goals and gain their place in society.
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