Representational Strategies and Social Critique Function in Portrayals of the Lower Class in Realist Literature
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Abstract
This study examines the representation of social class and economic inequality in realist literature. The analysis focuses on how realist and naturalist authors construct depictions of lower-class life and structural disparity through setting, characterization, and plot development. The discussion demonstrates that formal elements in realist fiction are systematically organized to convey socioeconomic determinism while simultaneously functioning as social critique of capitalist exploitation. The findings suggest that realist literature employs material details, limited point of view, and irony as narrative strategies for building critical awareness. The representation of children, the detailed portrayal of living conditions, and the depiction of institutional failures all contribute to the critical function of realist works. This research confirms that realist fiction maintains its relevance across time periods due to its focus on persistent structural inequality. The transformative potential of realist literature lies in its capacity to build empathy and understanding across class boundaries.
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