Before getting fully into the meaning of the term realistic tale, it becomes very interesting to discover the etymological origin of the two words that give it shape:
-Story derives from Latin, exactly from “computus” that emanates, in turn, from the verb “computare”, which is synonymous with “count”.
-Realista, on the other hand, it is a neologism coined by the German philosopher Immanuel Kant. He created it from the sum of two components: the Latin adjective “real, realis”, which is synonymous with “true”, and the Greek suffix “-ismo”, which is used as a synonym for “doctrine” or “activity. ”.
Is named story to the fictional story that has a limited extension. Realistic, for its part, is an adjective that can be used to qualify what conforms to the reality (what actually happens).
Actions told in a realistic story could take place in the real world.
Characteristics of a realistic tale
According to their characteristics, the stories can receive different names. Is named realistic tale to the one whose Actions result corresponding with what could happen in the real world. The events of realistic tales, thus, are credible.
The events narrated in a realistic story can be explained according to the criteria of the reader’s daily reality. The same is not the case with fantastic tales, whose plot is based on elements far from reality and typical of fantasy.
The example of “The Slaughterhouse”
“The slaughterhouse” from Esteban Echeverria is a example realistic tale. In the text, the Argentine writer narrates a scene that takes place with an animal in a slaughterhouse in Buenos Aires during the time of Juan Manuel de Rosas (XIX century). The descriptions of the characters and the environment are accurate and coincide with the historical time in which the story is set.
“Red Riding Hood”Instead, it is a fairy tale that cannot be described as realistic. It presents a talking wolf and an old woman who, after being swallowed by this animal, comes out of your gut alive. These questions are very far from the real thing.
It is important to keep in mind that a realistic story is plausible, but not true.
Realistic tale and verisimilitude
It is important to consider that a realistic account does not present true facts, but rather credible ones. The actions that Echeverria Account in “The slaughterhouse” did not happen in the reality, but several of them could have been developed in the Buenos Aires of XIX century.
In addition to those indicated, these are other of the most relevant characteristics of the so-called realistic tale:
-The stories come to reflect moments or moments of common life.
-The characters are not superheroes, they are normal individuals, who could be similar to any ordinary citizen.
-The language used to shape realistic stories is common.
-The narrator who appears in these stories is someone who does not make value judgments and who does not analyze the situation. In his case, he is simply dedicated to recounting what is happening in a detailed and meticulous way.
Among the most important authors of the literature that have been considered and considered as references within the so-called realist tale, we can highlight figures such as Gustave Flaubert (1821 – 1880), Stendhal (1783 – 1842) or Emile Zola (1840 – 1902), among others.
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