Identify and describe two social issues that Realist writers worked to improve by making more Americans care about the problems. For each issue, name a writer who wrote realistically about the situation.

Answer 1

Realist writers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries sought to depict life accurately and often focused on social issues that were pressing during their time. Two significant social issues that these writers addressed are poverty and the struggles of women.

1. Poverty: Many Realist writers focused on the harsh realities of life for the impoverished, bringing attention to the increasing divide between social classes and the struggles of the working poor. A prominent writer in this category is Stephen Crane, whose novel Maggie: A Girl of the Streets portrays the life of a young woman growing up in a tenement in New York City. Crane's unflinching depiction of Maggie's descent into poverty and her struggles against the social conditions that trap her is intended to evoke compassion and awareness among readers about the plight of the urban poor.

2. Women's Rights: The issues faced by women, including societal expectations, limited opportunities, and struggles for independence, were also significant themes in Realist literature. Kate Chopin is a notable writer who explored these themes, particularly in her novel The Awakening. Chopin's work delves into the limitations placed on women in the late 19th century and the quest for self-identity and freedom. Through the character of Edna Pontellier, Chopin addresses the struggles women faced in asserting their rights and desires in a patriarchal society, thus encouraging readers to consider the need for social change regarding women's roles.

Both Crane and Chopin utilized Realism to shine a light on these social issues, aiming to foster empathy and provoke thought among their readers about the challenges faced by marginalized groups in society.