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    Ian Watt who coined the term Formal Realism in his pioneering work "The Rise of the Novel,"(1957)  defines it as "the narrative method whereby the novel embodies this circumstantial view of life...[It] is the narrative embodiment of the premise or primary convention that the novel is a full and and authentic report of human experience."(P.32).

   The term itself is controversial and its precise meaning continues to be debated even today.

   Ian Watt, when explaining and elaborating on FORMAL REALISM, emphasises the following three important features:

   1."Individuality of the actors (characters) concerned": Every Jane Austen heroine is unique and asserts her independence and individuality:Eliabeth on rejecting Collins' proposal remarks,"I am not one of those young ladies (if such young ladies there are) who are so daring as to risk their happiness on  the chance of being asked a second time." (ch.19).

   2."The particulars of the times and places of their actions":  In Ch.12 on Jane's and Eliabeth's return from Netherfield Catherine and Lydia inform them that "a private had been flogged". This is an oblique refernce to the harsh discipline in the militia during a time of national emergency-the fear of Napoleon invading England.

   3."Referential use of language": Lengthy and detailed descriptions  are an important feature  of a realist novel:Ch.53 contains a long and detailed description of Pemberley.

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   Posted by lit24 on Saturday May 24, 2008 at 10:30 AM