Question

American literary trends changed substantially after the Civil War, ushering in a new era of prose and poetry. What was the principal difference between late-nineteenth century literature and antebellum literature?

1) Gilded Age literature contained more upper-class characters than antebellum literature
2) Gilded Age literature utilized more dialogue and contained fewer descriptive passages than antebellum literature.
3) Gilded Age literature focused more on poetry and fanciful imagery than antebellum literature.
4) Gilded Age literature was more pragmatic and less romantic than antebellum literature.

Answer 1

The main difference between Gilded Age literature and antebellum literature is that Gilded Age writing was more pragmatic and less romantic, featuring realist themes over the idealism of the previous era.

Step-by-step explanation:

The principal difference between late-nineteenth century literature, often associated with the Gilded Age, and antebellum literature is that the literature of the Gilded Age was more pragmatic and less romantic than its antebellum counterpart. Gilded Age literature, reflecting a society grappled by rapid industrialization, urbanization, and social upheavals, turned to themes of realism and naturalism, presenting characters and scenarios that delved into the complexities of everyday life, social inequality, and the human condition in a changing world. In contrast, antebellum literature, influenced by Romanticism and the transcendentalist movement, emphasized the goodness of human nature and moral perfection, with works that often celebrated the ideal over the real.