Literary Movements: Realism vs Romanticism Quiz

What distinguishes Realism from Romanticism in literature?

Which literary movement emphasized the power of transcendence and the sublime?

Why is Madame Bovary considered a prime example of realism?

What writing advice did Flaubert receive from his friends for Madame Bovary?

When did Flaubert start writing Madame Bovary?

What was Flaubert's initial inspiration to write Madame Bovary?

What is the main focus of Realism as a literary movement?

Which literary movement emphasized the individual hero, subjectivity, and the imagination?

Which novel by Gustave Flaubert is a prime example of Realism with elements of Romanticism for ironic effect?

What role did Flaubert's parents play in his life?

Literary Movements

Realism is a literary movement that focuses on depicting the mundane, everyday life of common people.
Romanticism is a literary movement that emphasizes the individual hero, subjectivity, and the imagination, featuring a devotion to beauty, nature, and the power of transcendence.

Gustave Flaubert

Born in Rouen, France in 1821 to parents Achille, a chief surgeon, and Anne.
Began writing at a very young age and had already written the first version of a novel, Memoirs D'un Fou, by 1838.
Went to Paris to attend law school, but dropped out after an epileptic attack.
Moved to Croisset with his mother and recently-orphaned niece after his father died in 1846.

Madame Bovary

Written by Gustave Flaubert and took 5 years to complete, from 1851.
Depicts the everyday mundanity of country life, making it Flaubert's best example of realism.
Includes elements of romanticism to create irony.

Inspirations

Flaubert was encouraged to write Madame Bovary after reading a manuscript for his novel The Temptation of St. Anthony to his friends Maxime du Camp and Louise Bouilhet, both French writers.
They told Flaubert that his work was too fanciful and that he should focus on writing a novel in the realist genre.

Test your knowledge of the literary movements of Realism and Romanticism in this quiz. Learn about key characteristics, differences, and examples of each movement throughout the 19th century.