Realism and Modernism Simliarities

There are numerous instances in which realism and modernism are similar. Some of the more pressing similarities are the instances in which they use redemption, the realistic portrayals of their characters and the time period as well as their use of symbolism to get across their points. Through their use of thematic elements in the form of symbolism and their portrayal of characters the similarities between modernism and realism are revealed. In books like Grapes of Wrath we see the light at the end of the tunnel and are shown the underlying theme of redemption in the novel which is similar to the theme of several Realism novels, but it is presented in several Modernism writings such as the works of John Steinbeck where the theme is even more present than in most novels. This theme of redemption is prominent in most modernism writings save for some such as All Quiet on the Western Front where the theme was much more depressing and does not end with any sort of fantasy of a happy ending or a fairy tale ending. These themes were so prominent in most modernism writings that the common thematic elements of the two are easy to decipher and tell apart. The two writing styles shared much in common especially in the form of their characters. With the characters we are given people like Rose of Sharon who show us the qualities of redemption and what not in humanity while giving us hope in play with the common thematic elements that are played in to effecct with both of the types of novels. These common thematic elements are easy to reveal when put page to page with both styles of writing. Along with characters and thematic elements symbolism is rampant in both styles of writing which is made evident in the thematic elements of the Hemingway novel The Old Man and the Sea. The Sea and the fish and just about everything in that novel have a symbolic relationship with something or another like with the sea being so representative of God and the whole being of human existentialism and all of that jazz and what not. Yeah symbolism is really rich is boh types of novels but more so in the writings of men like Hemingway and Steinbeck in their powerful writings of the American front and everything. These kinds of symbolic relationships in the novels reveal to us the nature of the two writings which goes hand in hand with the many common thematic elements that are used in both types of writings such as in Steinbecks primarily. It is evident through all the others use of characters that they attempt to portray them in a manner that will get the reader to be able to sympathize with them while they are attempting to get across their message of redemption to the reader and that is the primary message and theme in the writings of both Realism and Modernism. These are the themes of the two writings.