The term "realism" in American Literature encompasses the period of time from the Civil War to the turn of the century. Mark Twain, Kate Chopin, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Editha Williams and others wrote fiction devoted to accurate depiction and an exploration of American lives in multiple contexts. During the Civil …show more content…
In “The Yellow Wallpaper” she gave an in-depth account of post-partum depression. It was a deep look into an ailing women’s mind. It gave a snapshot of medical practices in the late 1800’s. There was not much known about mental issues in those days.
In “The War Prayer”, Twain expressed disdain and even out right disgust for the Spanish-American War. This was a scathing indictment of war, where patriotism, religious fervor, and imperialism were constant undertones. He used a religious setting to drive his points home. This short story was unlike, any of Twain’s other works. Devastation was a deep theme. This subject was a favorite of a friend of Twain’s, William Dean Howell. They choose this subject and this was the not the feeling in much of America at this time. American’s sometimes wanted war for the wrong